Imported onion prices shoot up

Onion prices show a contrasting feature in the city's retail markets at the fag end of the week. Prices of imported onions have increased by Tk 5-10 a kg, but those of locally grown onions have dropped by Tk 5 in the retail market from what it was a week ago.

In Dhaka, the retail market rates of locally grown onions were Tk 40, Tk 45 and Tk 50 a kg—Tk 5 less than the prices that prevailed a couple of weeks ago. On the other hand, retailers sold imported onions for Tk 35 per kg, up by Tk 5–10 from the rates last week.

According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of onion has fallen by 26 per cent from the last year. The price hike is also evident in the wholesale market. The wholesale rate of Indian onions in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar was Tk 120 per five kg even a week ago. But it has now shot up to Tk 160. So, the price has increased by Tk 10 a kg in the retail market.

Moinul Ahmed, a wholesaler in Karwan Bazar, said the increase in the price of Indian onions was due to rising prices in India. But the supply of domestic onions has increased.

In India, the price of onions has increased by Rs. 7–10 and now stands at Rs. 40-45 a kg. Owing to lack of rain in the Indian state of Maharashtra and also owing to the Diwali festival, Indian wholesale markets are now closed, traders said.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country produces about 18 lakh tonnes of onions annually. In addition, eight to 10 lakh tonnes are imported, mostly from India, every year.

Vegetable prices in the capital’s kitchen markets have gone down from last week because of increased supply.

Prices of early winter vegetables have come down a bit from the last week. Snake gourds, bitter gourds and pointed gourds are being sold for Tk 30–50 per kg.

However, winter vegetables will remain highly priced this month due to the low supply.  Traders say the demand for early winter vegetables is always high at first. The prices will start going down within a week or two.

Owing to adequate supply in the past few weeks, onions, eggplants, beans, carrots, cauliflowers, cabbages, turnips, red spinach, garlic and other vegetables are selling for the same prices as those in the last week.

Prices of egg, chicken and mutton have also remained unchanged.

Visiting several retail kitchen markets in Dhaka, including Karwan Bazar, this correspondent found that vendors were selling some vegetables at a lower price compared to last week.

 Traders say the supplies of common vegetables, such as gourd and tomato, have increased, resulting in a fall in prices. The price of gourd has dropped by more than half compared to last week.

 Gourd was being sold for Tk 100 per kg only a month ago, but it is now available for Tk 60–70. Tomato prices have also gone down.

Imported onion prices shoot up

Onion prices show a contrasting feature in the citys retail markets at the fag end of the week. Prices of imported onions have increased by Tk 5-10 a kg, but those of locally grown onions have dropped by Tk 5 in the retail market from what it was a week ago. In Dhaka, the retail market rates of locally grown onions were Tk 40, Tk 45 and Tk 50 a kgTk 5 less than the prices that prevailed a couple of weeks ago. On the other hand, retailers sold imported onions for Tk 35 per kg, up by Tk 510 from the rates last week. According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of onion has fallen by 26 per cent from the last year. The price hike is also evident in the wholesale market. The wholesale rate of Indian onions in Dhakas Karwan Bazar was Tk 120 per five kg even a week ago. But it has now shot up to Tk 160. So, the price has increased by Tk 10 a kg in the retail market. Moinul Ahmed, a wholesaler in Karwan Bazar, said the increase in the price of Indian onions was due to rising prices in India. But the supply of domestic onions has increased. In India, the price of onions has increased by Rs. 710 and now stands at Rs. 40-45 a kg. Owing to lack of rain in the Indian state of Maharashtra and also owing to the Diwali festival, Indian wholesale markets are now closed, traders said. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the country produces about 18 lakh tonnes of onions annually. In addition, eight to 10 lakh tonnes are imported, mostly from India, every year. Vegetable prices in the capitals kitchen markets have gone down from last week because of increased supply. Prices of early winter vegetables have come down a bit from the last week. Snake gourds, bitter gourds and pointed gourds are being sold for Tk 3050 per kg. However, winter vegetables will remain highly priced this month due to the low supply. Traders say the demand for early winter vegetables is always high at first. The prices will start going down within a week or two. Owing to adequate supply in the past few weeks, onions, eggplants, beans, carrots, cauliflowers, cabbages, turnips, red spinach, garlic and other vegetables are selling for the same prices as those in the last week. Prices of egg, chicken and mutton have also remained unchanged. Visiting several retail kitchen markets in Dhaka, including Karwan Bazar, this correspondent found that vendors were selling some vegetables at a lower price compared to last week. Traders say the supplies of common vegetables, such as gourd and tomato, have increased, resulting in a fall in prices. The price of gourd has dropped by more than half compared to last week. Gourd was being sold for Tk 100 per kg only a month ago, but it is now available for Tk 6070. Tomato prices have also gone down.