75,000 tonnes of local onions to hit market this month; prices expected to stabilise

Onion prices have skyrocketed in kitchen markets in recent weeks, causing frustration among consumers. However, officials hope the market will soon stabilise, as around 75,000 tonnes of locally grown onions are set to enter the market this month.

Sources in the commerce and agriculture ministries have alleged that a section of traders are creating an artificial crisis to drive up prices.

The Ministry of Agriculture said domestic production is currently sufficient, and allowing imports now would deprive farmers of fair prices and discourage long-term cultivation. The ministry added that import permissions have been temporarily withheld, and prices are expected to ease once new local supplies reach the market.

According to ministry data, 75,000 tonnes of onions are expected to enter the market in November, followed by 1.5 lakh tonnes in December, while the murikata variety will arrive between December and January. Officials said there is no likelihood of an onion shortage in the coming months.

Wholesale prices surge

In wholesale hubs, prices have surged sharply. In Chattogram's Khatunganj, wholesale onion prices have reached Tk100–110 per kg, increasing by Tk40–50 within a week. Data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) show that retail prices have jumped 50% in a month, now selling at around Tk120 per kg.

Onion prices skyrocket in Dhaka; from Tk70 to Tk120 per kg

Traders and warehouse owners in Pabna said rainfall temporarily disrupted supply, causing prices to rise by up to Tk1,000 per maund within a few days. They say prices are now between Tk3,500 and Tk3,600 per maund.

Md Munaf, an onion wholesaler in Pabna, told The Business Standard, "There is no shortage of onions in the market. Prices increased briefly due to the temporary supply disruption, but they have now returned to normal."

Agriculture Secretary Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian told The Business Standard that the government is not permitting imports at this stage, considering the upcoming local harvest. "If imports are allowed now, farmers will not get fair prices, which could discourage long-term production," he said. "There is a sufficient stock of onions in storage, and market monitoring efforts are underway to keep prices stable."

Indian import halt widens gap

In Chattogram, trader Sirajul Islam said most of the hali onion stocks have already been sold out, while imports from India remain suspended, creating a supply gap. "The arrival of the murikata variety in the coming weeks may help ease the situation," he added.

Wholesalers in Khatunganj also attributed the price rise to the import halt. Md Mohiuddin, general secretary of the Chaktai-Khatunganj Aratdar General Traders' Welfare Association, said, "With no imports from India, supply has fallen short of demand, causing prices to rise. If import permissions are granted, the market situation will improve."

Onion prices jump Tk20-25 per kg hitting Tk100 in Ctg’s Khatunganj

Md Idris, general secretary of the Hamidullah Mia Market Traders' Welfare Association, said a section of hoarders and farmers are controlling the market by releasing small quantities of onions. "New onions will arrive in December, but to bring prices down to a reasonable level, import approval is needed for at least one month," he said.

According to official data, Bangladesh's annual onion demand stands at 26–27 lakh tonnes, while 39 lakh tonnes were produced last season. However, due to weak post-harvest management, over 25% of the total yield is lost each year. As a result, the country needs to import around 6–7 lakh tonnes of onions annually to meet demand.