Onion, egg, veggie prices surge in a month, hitting consumers hard

Highlights

• Onion prices have risen to Tk55-Tk60 per kg, up by Tk20-Tk25
• Vegetable prices have jumped from under Tk40 to over Tk60 per kg
• Egg prices have increased to Tk130-Tk135 per dozen, up by Tk10
• Rice prices are up, with fine rice now costing Tk80-Tk90 per kg
• Broiler, Sonali chicken prices have dropped due to lower post-Eid demand 

Consumers in Dhaka are feeling the pinch as the prices of essential food items, including onions, eggs, and most vegetables, have seen a significant surge over the past month. 

A visit to major kitchen markets — Karwan Bazar, Kallyanpur Bazar, and Eskaton — on Friday (25 April) showed a sharp increase in the cost of these staples.

Onions, in particular, have seen a rise of Tk20-25 per kg, now retailing between Tk55 and Tk60 per kg.

Samsul Islam, a wholesale onion seller at Karwan Bazar, explained the surge, "When onion prices were lower, Murikata onions, which spoil quickly, were sold. Farmers couldn't store them for long, so they sold them fast. Now, the onions available can be stored for over five months, and many wholesalers are buying and storing them, contributing to the price increase."

At Karwan Bazar, good quality local onions are now sold wholesale at Tk52-54 per kg. Traders confirmed that all onions have been harvested, and farmers are storing them to sell at higher prices when the market fluctuates. 

Onion saplings are typically planted in December, and new onions are expected to appear around March-April. According to a report from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, the price of onions was Tk60-65 per kg during the same period last year.

Vegetables have also seen significant price increases. A month ago, many vegetables were priced under Tk40 per kg, but now most are costing over Tk60 per kg. 

Four farmers from Savar shared that the end of winter, combined with reduced rainfall, has led to a drop in vegetable production. 

Mohammad Sajahan, a farmer from Hemayetpur, Savar, said, "Many vegetables have spoiled due to the heat. The irrigation system is not providing enough water, which has resulted in low yields." 

He was seen selling vegetables like pointed gourd, snake gourd, eggplant, bitter gourd, and okra for Tk80 per kg in Eskaton. In Karwan Bazar, these same vegetables are being sold for Tk60 per kg.

Mohammad Yunus, a customer at Karwan Bazar, said, "Products here are a bit cheaper. Local shops charge Tk10-15 more per kg."

Egg prices have also surged, with a dozen now costing Tk130-135, a Tk10 increase from last week. However, the prices of broiler and Sonali chickens have slightly decreased. Broiler chicken is now priced at Tk165-170, while Sonali chicken costs between Tk250 and Tk280. 

Notably, on April 3rd, broiler chicken was being sold for Tk195- 200 per kg in Karwan Bazar, while Sonali chicken was priced at Tk290- 300 per kg.

Mohammad Faruk, a chicken seller in Karwan Bazar, said, "Sonali chicken is Tk270, and broiler chicken is Tk170 per kg." 

He attributed the price drop to decreased sales after the Eid-ul-Fitr festival, explaining, "Many people bought meat during the festival and might still have some in the freezer. Also, with Eid-ul-Azha approaching, people are saving money for the upcoming festival. Overall, sales have decreased, but the supply of chicken is good."

The price of rice has also risen, with fine rice now selling for Tk80 to Tk90 per kg, a Tk5 increase in the past month. 

Mohammad Saidullah, a rice seller in Karwan Bazar, provided the current prices, saying, "Nazirshail rice costs Tk85-95 per kg, Miniket rice is priced at Tk76-88 per kg, and BRRI-28 rice is now Tk65 per kg."