Weekly wet market: Onion prices stay high as veg softens slightly
Muhammad Ayub Ali :
Despite the approval of new onion imports, prices remain elevated, with most varieties still costing more than Tk100 per kg. Even the freshly supplied sliced onions have done little to ease the pressure on consumers.
Winter vegetables have also arrived in abundance across Dhaka’s markets, yet their prices have not declined as many had hoped. Most items are still selling at roughly the same rates as last week.
Locally produced onions from last season are now priced at Tk90–100 per kg, while sliced onions are selling for Tk120–130. Imported onions are available in the Tk100–120 range, depending on quality.
Potatoes, however, show a clearer downward trend. New-season potatoes now retail at Tk35–40 per kg, and three-kilogram packs are selling for Tk100—bringing the per-kg cost down to Tk33.
These pictures were observed during visits to several Dhaka markets on Friday.
Trader Abu Hossain noted that imported onions should be cheaper. Indian onions cost only 15–16 rupees per kg meaning they could retail domestically at Tk40–45.
“But they are being sold for Tk90–100 in wholesale markets,” he said, adding that importers have raised prices to match costly local onions.
Wholesale prices briefly fell by Tk20–30 per kg after news of new imports
but increased again over the past two days due to limited supply. A Karwan Bazar trader said that both imported and sliced onions were arriving in small quantities. “Once supply increases, prices will naturally come down,” he added.
Onion prices initially surged in early November—from Tk70–80 to Tk110–120—and spiked again 10–12 days ago to Tk150–160, prompting the government to open imports.
Vegetable prices offer mild relief
Thanks to ample winter supply, several vegetables are gradually becoming cheaper. Beans are selling at Tk60–80 per kg, down from last week’s Tk80–100.
Brinjal, ridge gourd and bitter gourd have slipped to Tk60–70, while pointed gourd and wax gourd range between Tk40 and Tk50.
Cauliflower and cabbage have also dropped further, with medium-sized heads priced at Tk30–40.
Protein prices continue to ease. Farm eggs cost Tk115–120 per dozen, rising to Tk130 only in neighbourhood shops. Broiler chicken sells for Tk150–160 per kg, while golden chicken is priced at Tk250–270.
Traders say the abundance of winter vegetables reduces demand for chicken and eggs, naturally pulling prices down.
Edible oil prices move upward again
On Sunday, soybean oil prices increased once more—by Tk6 per litre for bottled oil and Tk7 for loose oil.
Palm oil rose by Tk16 per litre, while a five-litre bottle of soybean oil became costlier by Tk33.
Bottled soybean oil now sells for Tk195 per litre, up from Tk189. The five-litre bottle has climbed to Tk955 from Tk922.
Loose soybean oil is selling at Tk176 per litre, and palm oil is priced at Tk166. Most other essential grocery prices remain stable.