In a single day, the price of local onions increased by another 10 taka per kilogram in the retail market of the capital on Monday. And the price of imported onions increased by 5 taka. If we take into account the last one week, the price has increased by 15 to 20 taka per kilogram. But why is the price of onions suddenly increasing?
Traders say that the amount of onion produced in the country every year does not meet the demand. A large part of the demand has to be met by importing. Due to heavy rains in various provinces in India, onion production has decreased. This has increased the booking rate and the price of imported onions in the country is rising.
However, the concerned parties are reluctant to accept this excuse of traders to increase the price of onions. Sources from the Department of Agricultural Extension said that the demand for onions in the country is 2.8 million tons every year.
Of this, 3.3 million tons are being produced in the country. Although 30 percent of onions are wasted due to various reasons including lack of storage, 2.3 million tons remain. And 8 to 1 million tons of onions are imported every year. As a result, there is always a surplus of onions, more than the demand. So there is no reason for the sudden increase in onion prices.
Sources said that countries from which Bangladesh imports onions, including India and Myanmar, have not stopped exporting onions. Apart from that, there is no major problem. So why has the price of onion increased by 15 to 20 taka per kg in a week? This is nothing but a manipulation by a syndicate.
Yesterday, a search of various retail markets including Kawran Bazar and New Market in the capital showed that local onions were being sold at 60 to 65 taka per kilogram and imported onions at 50 to 55 taka. A day ago, on Sunday, these onions were sold at 50 to 65 taka and 45 to 55 taka respectively. And a week ago, they were sold at 40 to 50 taka and 38 to 45 taka.
According to the government's marketing agency, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of domestic onions per kilogram has increased by 43.68 percent and imported onions by 23.53 percent in the past month.
Hakimpur (Dinajpur) correspondent said that onion importers at the port said that the booking rate in India has increased, while the import volume has decreased due to fears of losses due to importing immature onions due to excessive heat. As a result, onion prices in the domestic market are on the rise.
Yesterday, a visit to the wholesale market at Hili Port showed that the onions that were sold at wholesale prices of 30 to 32 taka per kg two days ago are now being sold at 40 to 42 taka per kg, up by 12 taka.
Harun Ur Rashid, president of the Hili Land Port Import-Export Group, told Ittefaq yesterday that the price has increased due to the decrease in onion supply in the market compared to demand. This may continue until the upcoming Durga Puja. He claimed that importers are not syndicating and increasing the price.
