Onions spike, vegetables offer price relief

Staff Reporter :

Within just a week, onion prices have surged by Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kilogram in Dhaka’s kitchen markets.
A market survey revealed that onions, previously sold at Tk 110-120 per kg, are now being priced between Tk 130 and Tk 140.

Traders attribute the increase to reduced supply and rising import costs from India.
“The season for local onions has ended, but demand remains high, which is driving up prices,” explained onion trader Mohammad Hossain.

Wholesale prices for the local variety stand at Tk 136 per kg, with consumers paying around Tk 140 in retail markets.

Imported onions from China and Egypt are being sold at Tk 80 and Tk 84 per kg, respectively
while retailers are adding a Tk 10-15 markup per kg.

In contrast, vegetable prices are falling as early winter produce boosts supply. During visits to Karwan Bazar, Kallyanpur, and Hatirpool markets on October 25, rates were down by at least Tk 20 per kg from last week.

“Prices for most vegetables have dropped at both wholesale and retail levels,” said Md Rubel, a vegetable seller at Kallyanpur. Pointed gourds, for instance, are now Tk 60 per kg, down from Tk 80 last week.

Bitter gourds are selling at Tk 80 per kg, snake gourds (chichinga) at Tk 60, and okras at Tk 60.

Wholesale rates at Karwan Bazar are slightly lower than other markets, with most vegetables priced at an average of Tk 60 per kg, pointed gourds at Tk 50, and papayas at Tk 35-40 per kg. Small cauliflowers are available for Tk 40 each, while beans, though still costly, have dropped from Tk 200 per kg to Tk 120.

The price of green chilies has also decreased, falling by Tk 40 per kg to Tk 160 this week. Trader Abdul Khalek cited increased supply as the reason for the lower rates.

Broiler chickens are currently being sold at Tk 190-200 per kg. Eggs are now Tk 155-160 per dozen, down from over Tk 180 two weeks ago.