Onion prices surge despite harvest season; chicken prices drop

Onion prices have surged Tk20-25 per kilogram in just a week, now selling for Tk60-65 in Dhaka's retail markets, despite the ongoing peak harvest season.

Traders hiked the prices after buying up stocks from farmers, market sources say.

In Bangladesh, onion harvesting starts in late February to early March, peaking through March and April, when most locally grown onions are brought to market.

According to farmers, they had been selling onions at Tk22–25 per kg since the season [late February to early March] began, although government estimates put production costs at Tk38-41 per kg. 

Prices started climbing a week ago, and as of Thursday, farmers in Pabna were selling onions at Tk40-45 per kg.

SM Najer Hossain, vice president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), told The Business Standard, "Farmers no longer have onions in stock. Commission agents and wholesalers have already bought up everything. As soon as the farmers' stocks run out, these middlemen raise prices at will."

He added that small farmers often take loans or advances for cultivation, forcing them to sell at lower prices early in the season. 

"If farmers had money, they could store onions and sell them later for better prices. But they can't, so they often sell at a loss. We've been urging the government to support real small farmers – without help, they won't survive."

Rahman Pramanik, an onion farmer from Baoitola village in Karamja union of Pabna's Santhia upazila, said, "Prices have been going up for a week. Those who sold earlier made losses. On Thursday, onions were selling for up to Tk2,250 per maund in our area. At this rate, farmers will finally see some profit – but most of us have little stock left."

According to retailers in Dhaka, onion prices had remained low at the start of the season due to a good harvest, dropping to as low as Tk30 per kg. After Eid, prices hovered around Tk40-45 before the recent spike. 

Saiful Islam, a trader from Shahjadpur, said wholesale prices are currently between Tk54 and Tk58 per kg.

Chicken prices drop 

Meat prices, which had surged before Eid, have now come down. Broiler chicken is currently selling for Tk180-190 per kg, down from Tk210-230, while Sonali chicken has dropped to Tk270-280 per kg from Tk300-330. 

Beef prices are holding steady at Tk750-780 per kg, and farm eggs are selling for Tk120-130 per dozen.

Veggies stay costly

Summer vegetables have started to arrive in local markets, but prices remain high. Pointed gourd is selling for Tk60-70 per kg, okra for Tk80, yardlong beans for Tk60-80, green papaya and bottle gourd for Tk50-60.

Other prices include teasel gourd at Tk140 per kg, eggplant at Tk80-100, flat beans at Tk70, sweet pumpkin at Tk30, radish at Tk60, cucumber at Tk80, bitter gourd at Tk60, and tomatoes at Tk40.