Staff Reporter :
Onion prices in the wholesale markets of Sujanagar and Santhia in Pabna, a prominent onion-producing district, have plummeted by half within just five days, leaving farmers dismayed.
A local media report reveals that the price of a maund of onions dropped to between Tk 1,600 and Tk 1,800 on Sunday, marking a significant decrease from the previous range of Tk 3,000 to Tk 3,200.
Local farmers and wholesale traders attribute the price drop to an uptick in the market’s supply. They point out that certain unscrupulous traders, who had hoarded onions, have flooded the market with their stock to capitalize on higher prices during Ramadan. Additionally, farmers have commenced harvesting new onions and bringing them to market.
Operating every Sunday and Wednesday, the wholesale onion market in Sujanagar Sadar Upazila witnessed onions being sold at a range of Tk 3,000 to Tk 3,200 per maund last Wednesday.
However, since then, prices have steadily declined, now ranging between Tk 1,600 to Tk 1,800 per maund.
This abrupt drop in onion prices has left farmers in Pabna disheartened. Many farmers, fearing further losses, have refrained from selling their onions and returned home.
Murad Uddin, a farmer from Khoyran village, lamented the situation, highlighting that last year, onion prices were considerably higher during the same period. He expressed concern over the current downturn in prices.
Jamal Uddin, Deputy Director of the District Agriculture Extension Department, attributed the price fall to the sudden surge in supply.
However, he reassured that farmers would not incur significant losses at the current price level.
Such drops in onion prices have created frustration among farmers in the two upazilas.
Many farmers returned home without selling onions due to this, fearing further losses if the price continues to fall.
Murad Uddin, a farmer in Khoyran village, noted that last year, at this time, onion prices were good in the market, with each maund sold for Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,200. However, this year, the price is lower.
Jamal Uddin, deputy director of the District Agriculture Extension Department, stated that the price has fallen due to the sudden rise in supply.
However, he opined that at the current price of onions, farmers will not incur any losses.
