Onion price up by Tk30 within a week

The price of onion in Dhaka's kitchen markets have increased on an average by Tk30 per kilogram within a week, burning a hole in consumers' pockets.

Prices of the essential commodities are also high throughout kitchen markets in Karwan Bazar, Malibagh, Kochukhet, Rampura, Mohakhali, Azompur and Uttara.

The Business Standard visited Karwan Bazar on Friday morning to assess the market prices.

Locally grown onion is on sale for Tk125-145 per kg compared to Tk95-110 only a week ago. Imported onion from India is being sold at Tk120-140 per kg, up from Tk90-115.

Imported onion from Myanmar is being sold for Tk110 per kg and locally grown onion for Tk130 per kg.

Onion imported from Egypt was found to be the cheapest among all varieties in Karwan Bazar kitchen market. Bigger in size and reddish in colour, the Egyptian onions are being sold for Tk100 per kg.

Customers said they did not taste this onion variety before, but are still buying those as the price of both local and Indian onions are out of reach.

"Not everyone has the ability to buy a certain spice costing Tk130 per kg. So I am buying the Egyptian variety of onions. We are suffering as the price of onions remains too high," said Jayanta Kumar, a customer shopping at the Karwan Bazar kitchen market.

Wholesalers of Karwan Bazar said that the stock of locally grown onions is nearing depletion.

"The Egyptian onions are not as good as the local or Indian onions. Onion prices still remain below Tk150 because of the availability of Egyptian onions on the market," said Abdul Khalek Mia, a wholesaler at Karwan Bazar.

"If these onions were not imported, the prices of other varieties might have hit Tk200 by now," he added.

He however opined that the prices may see a downtrend after a week.

Garlic

The price of garlic has also gone up. In the past one week, garlic prices increased by Tk10-20 per kg on an average in the city's kitchen markets.

Locally grown garlics are being sold for Tk140-170 per kg, compared to Tk130-160 just one week ago. Imported garlic are being sold for Tk130-180, up from Tk120-160 per kg.

Ginger

Though there is an upward trend in prices of the spices, ginger prices has dropped this week.

Ginger is currently on sale for Tk110 per kg, down from Tk140 just a week ago.

Chicken

Prices of both local and broiler chickens have dropped in the city's kitchen markets. Local chicken price has decreased by Tk50-90 per kg, from Tk450-600 to Tk360-550.

Broiler chickens are on sale for Tk115-130 per kg, which was Tk120-135 one week ago.