In Dhaka's kitchen markets, the prices of onions and vegetables stayed high on Friday. At retail markets such as Kallyanpur Natun Bazar, Agargaon Taltola Bazar, and Karwan Bazar, onions sold for US$0.73–0.78 per kg (Tk 80–85). Most vegetables were priced between US$0.73–0.91 per kg (Tk 80–100).
Wholesale onion prices declined by US$0.06–0.09 per kg (Tk 7–10) following the government's decision to allow imports. Commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin stated that imports would be permitted from any country offering lower prices. Wholesale traders estimated that around 25 trucks or 300 mt of onions could be imported.
Khalilur Rahman, a wholesale trader at Karwan Bazar, said, "The prices of onions in the wholesale market dropped by Tk 7–10 per kg." He added that despite imports, wholesale prices may stay at US$0.59–0.64 per kg (Tk 65–70) and retail prices at US$0.68–0.73 per kg (Tk 75–80). Rahman pointed to shortages in producing regions such as Pabna, Faridpur, Rajbari, and Khulna, post-harvest losses of 20–30%, and excessive rainfall as reasons for higher prices. He noted, "There are little chances of reducing onion prices before the new harvesting season."
Vegetable prices ranged between US$0.64 and US$1.09 per kg (Tk 70–120). Green chillies cost US$2.00–2.27 per kg (Tk 220–250) at retail and US$1.64–1.82 per kg (Tk 180–200) wholesale. Spiny gourd was US$0.73 per kg (Tk 80), while snake gourd and pointed gourd were US$0.64–0.73 per kg (Tk 70–80). Okra was US$0.64 per kg (Tk 70), and yard-long beans and bitter gourds were US$0.64–0.73 per kg (Tk 70–80). Brinjal sold for US$0.91–1.09 per kg (Tk 100–120). Red chillies were priced at US$4.10–4.55 per kg (Tk 450–500), cucumbers at US$0.73–0.91 (Tk 80–100), and potatoes at US$0.23–0.27 per kg (Tk 25–30).
Consumers noted higher prices in neighbourhood markets, with increases of US$0.18–0.27 per kg (Tk 20–30) compared to wholesale. Sharmin Akter Runa, a consumer from Paikpara, said that vegetable prices had risen suddenly, adding, "Our income is limited, and we run a tight household budget. Even an extra Tk 200 in expenses puts pressure on other areas of spending."
Md Imran Master, president of Bangladesh Kachamal Arat Samity, explained that the country is in a lean production season. "During this time, weather conditions leave farmland damp or waterlogged, limiting vegetable cultivation and reducing supply. As a result, vegetable prices in the market are currently high," he said.
Source: NewAge
