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The news of continued imports from India, and market raids conducted by different government agencies have failed to cool down onion prices in local markets, instead the rates have gone further up by Tk 30 – Tk 40 per kg.
On Sunday, local onions were being sold for Tk 200 – Tk 240 per kg in different markets across the country, including in the capital, on Sunday. Meanwhile, imported onions were being sold for Tk 160 – Tk 190 per kg.
Meanwhile, along with onions, the prices of some products including potatoes and green chilies have suddenly increased as well. In the span of two days, the price of potato rose by Tk 10 per kg, and the price of green chilies rose by Tk 30 – Tk 40.
Prices began to skyrocket when the news of India’s conditional suspension of onion exports until March next year spread throughout the country's markets. Onion prices nearly doubled in one day on Saturday.
This sudden hike in onion prices in the local market puzzled the consumers, who are already struggling with sky high prices of key essential commodities.
On Sunday, a few kitchen markets, including the one in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha area, were selling local onions at Tk 220 – Tk 240 per kg, which was Tk 190 – Tk 200 per kg on Saturday. Besides, imported onions were being sold for Tk 180 – Tk 210 per kg, which was Tk 160 – Tk 190 per kg.
Apart from this, local onions were being sold for Tk 190 – Tk 200 per kg and imported onions for Tk 160 – Tk 180 per kg in super shops such as Agora.
Onion markets raided
The National Directorate of Consumer Protection (DNCRP) went into action when onion prices suddenly increased on Saturday. Fifty-seven teams raided onion markets across the country, including four separate teams consisting of four officers in the capital on Saturday.
In these raids, 133 companies were fined on charges such as buying at low prices and selling at high prices, not keeping receipts and not hanging price lists. The total amount of penalty was Tk 6.66 lakh.
In continuation of Saturday, the DNCRP raided various markets in the country, including the Dhaka metropolitan area. Forty-three teams fined 80 traders Tk 3.70 lakh during these drives.
Onion imports from India continue
Despite the news of import ban from India, the country imported 1,343 tonnes of onions from the neighbouring country through two land ports on Saturday. Forty-six trucks brought the onions in through Sonamasjid Land Port in Chapainawabganj and Bhomra land port in Satkhira.
Insiders say under LCs opened previously, Bangladesh imported 743 tonnes of onions on 26 trucks through the Sonamasjid Land Port. Every tonne of onion coming into the country was purchased at $800.
Besides, several more trucks carrying onions are reportedly waiting to enter the Sonamasjid land port.
On Sunday, the price of old potatoes rose by Tk 10 to Tk 55 – Tk 60 per kg, compared to the previous price of Tk 45 – TK 50. Meanwhile, green chilies are being sold at Tk 110 – Tk 120 per kg in the city markets, compared to Tk 60 – TK 80 per kg a week ago.
