Despite it being the peak season for onions, prices have suddenly shot up in Dhaka's markets. Within just three days, prices have increased by as much as Tk 15 per kilogram. Traders fear that prices may rise further.
On Tuesday, a visit to various markets in Dhaka revealed onions being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 65 per kg, depending on quality. Just last Friday, the price was Tk 40 to Tk 45 per kg. The price began rising right after the Bengali New Year.
Traders explain that although it’s the high season for local onions, a supply shortage at the wholesale level has caused prices to spike. Dhaka’s largest onion supply comes from Faridpur, where rising prices are now affecting city markets.
Vendors like Md. Jahangir from Malibagh Hajipara said they were selling onions at Tk 40 per kg on Sunday, but due to consecutive hikes in wholesale rates over the past two days, they’re now forced to sell at Tk 50 and above.
In Rampura, traders were seen selling onions for Tk 50–55 per kg. On Friday, the same onions were priced at Tk 40–50. That means the price has jumped by Tk 10 per kg in just three days.
Shopkeeper Al Amin from Rampura said prices at the wholesale level have jumped by over Tk 10 per kg in two days, forcing them to raise retail prices. He noted that onion quality is very high right now, making it suitable for long-term storage, which may be prompting bulk purchases and hoarding.
At Shantinagar Market, lower-grade onions were being sold at Tk 50 per kg, while premium ones ranged from Tk 60 to Tk 65. Last Friday, the same quality sold for Tk 50 and Tk 45 respectively — showing a Tk 15 jump in premium onions in three days.
Anoter trader, Aslam, said the days of cheap onions are over. “We sold premium onions at Tk 50 per kg on Friday — today it’s Tk 65. Big traders are already stockpiling onions. Even general buyers are buying in bulk because these dry onions are good for long storage.”
A shopper named Sulaiman Hossain expressed frustration, saying he recently bought premium onions at Tk 45 per kg, but today they’re asking Tk 65. “It’s peak onion season — why are prices rising like this? There’s no market monitoring. Traders are charging whatever they want. Authorities must act now or prices will spiral further,” he warned.
Meanwhile, wholesalers at Karwan Bazar claim onion supply is low this season due to reduced production.
