Onion and potato prices have resumed their upward climb after a week of being sold at a reduced cost in Dhaka’s kitchen markets.
Over the past week, potato prices have jumped by Tk 20-25 per kg, while onion prices have increased by Tk 25-40 per kg.
Retailers attributed the hike to reports of crop damage caused by heavy rains associated with Cyclone Michaung, which hit the country in early December. While the extent of the damage is unclear, wholesalers are citing it to justify the rising prices.
Market visits across Dhaka, including Shantinagar, Malibagh, and Mugda, revealed old potatoes selling for Tk 80 per kg, a significant rise from Tk 45-50 a week prior.
New season potatoes, previously priced at Tk 50-55, are now fetching Tk 70 per kg.
Md Anwar, a vegetable retailer at Mugda market, explained that farmers’ losses due to the rains have impacted the supply of old potatoes, as they are crucial for planting new seedlings.
Additionally, he alleged that wholesale traders are holding back their supplies due to concerns about delays in the full market entry of new potatoes.
Meanwhile, new season onions, which cost Tk 80-90 per kg just days ago, are now selling at Tk 120-130 per kg, while imported onions have jumped from Tk 120-125 to Tk 140-150 per kg.
Local old onions, facing a severe supply shortage, have reached a staggering Tk 170-180 per kg.
Md Alauddin, a retailer at Shantinagar market, attributed the renewed price hike to several factors.
“After initially dropping due to the arrival of new produce, prices began rising again following rumours of rain-damaged onion fields. Additionally, news of India halting onion exports further inflated the cost of imported onions. Onion prices have risen by Tk 25-40 per kg in the past week,” he said.
Cyclone Michaung, which hit India on December 5 and brought two days of heavy rain to Bangladesh, has reportedly impacted crop production in Dhaka, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Manikganj, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Jashore, Jhenaidah, Magura, Chuadanga, Khulna and Narail districts.
Potato and onion are among the major crops affected.
However, Department of Agricultural Extension Director General Badal Chandra Biswas believes that the national production will not be significantly affected due to incessant rainfall.
While acknowledging individual farmer losses, he assured that widespread potato seed distribution will mitigate the impact. He also anticipated a potential seed shortage in Munshiganj, leading to some land being left out of potato cultivation.
