The Ministry of Commerce had announced the decision to import onions to reduce the price of onions. Although the import was not approved in the end, the price of onions in the market has slightly decreased due to the announcement. On Thursday, onions were sold for 100-110 taka per kg. A week ago, it was 110-120 taka. However, it still costs 120 taka to buy good quality selected onions.
Yesterday, onions were sold at 85-100 taka per kg in the wholesale markets of the capital. Last week, it was 92-108 taka.
At the beginning of this month, onion prices suddenly started increasing. In a week, they increased by 40-45 taka per kg and reached 125 taka. In view of this, Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin announced the decision to import onions on November 9. However, he also said that if the price does not decrease after observing the market for the next week, the import will be approved. The advisor also said that more than 2,000 applications for import are under process. However, even though the price has not decreased significantly even in 10 days, the import has not been approved so far.
Sellers say that it will take more than 10 more days for the new season’s onions to arrive. During this time, there will be no shortage of onions in the market. The demand will be met with domestic stocks. However, the prices will not come down much until the new onions arrive.
Shahidul Islam, the owner of M/s Matri Bhandar, an onion warehouse in Shyambazar in the capital, said that many traders were quickly releasing their stored onions due to fear of imports. So the prices came down a little. However, now they have stopped at one place again. Because, the government did not allow imports even after warning.
Along with onions, the price of garlic has also come down a little. Imported (Chinese) garlic is being sold at 160-200 taka per kg in retail, which was 180-220 taka a week ago.
Yesterday, visiting various markets in the capital including Malibagh, Segunbagicha, Shantinagar, Maniknagar, it was seen that the price of broiler chicken has come down by 5-10 taka compared to last week to 160-180 taka. Apart from this, the price of eggs has decreased by 5-10 taka per dozen and is being sold at 135-140 taka.
Egg trader Noor E Alam of Segunbagicha Bazar said that due to the good weather, the farm’s chicken and egg production is good. This has increased supply and reduced prices slightly. It is expected that this price will remain for a long time if the winter does not get too severe.
Although the Aman season has started, the price of rice has not decreased for the past one week. Traders say that usually when the Aman season starts, the price of rice decreases a little every week. But this time it decreased a little before the season started. However, the price has remained stable for the past one week.
A visit to the markets of the capital shows that good quality Atas rice is being sold at 60-62 taka per kg in retail. Apart from this, medium quality Atas rice is being sold at 56-60 taka. Katari Nazir variety rice is being sold at 74-76 taka per kg. Miniket or Jirashail is being sold at 78-70 taka.
Rice trader Md. Yunus said, “Last week, the price of rice fell by 1-2 taka. This week, it is the same. It seems that it will not decrease until new rice arrives.”
Meanwhile, after falling for two to three weeks, vegetable prices are rising again. Although the supply of winter vegetables has started, the prices of several vegetables have increased by 10-20 taka per kg in the last one week. Radish is being sold in the market at 60 taka per kg, which was 40-50 taka a week ago. Most vegetables, including beans, bitter gourd, brinjal, carrot, potato, cucumber, turnip, are being sold at 80-100 taka per kg, which was 60-80 taka a week ago. Until last week, beans were available at 40 taka per kg in some places.
The prices of cauliflower and cabbage, one of the most popular winter vegetables, have also increased slightly and are being sold at 50-60 taka each. Vendors say that the price of cauliflower has increased due to its increased size. The cauliflowers that were available in the market until now are larger in size than the ones available in the market today.
The price of green chillies remains the same, at 160-170 taka per kg. Potatoes are still at 25 taka per kg.
Anwar, a vegetable seller at Maniknagar market, said, “The prices of vegetables are suddenly increasing again. But I don’t understand why. Normally, prices are not supposed to increase at this time.”
