Business Desk :
Amid the soaring prices of essential items, onion prices have almost doubled in the capital’s kitchen markets in just a week.
Onion was sold at Tk 50 per kg on Saturday, which was Tk 20-25 a week ago.
Traders said the unavailability of imported onions in the market might have pushed up prices.
However, Shyam Bazar Banik Samity Vice-President Hazi Md Mazed, also the Onion Traders Association secretary, told that onion was being imported, especially from neighbouring India and Myanmar.
He said onion prices were currently high in the two countries, which had directly impacted prices in Bangladesh.
Local onion was currently selling at Tk38-41 per kg wholesale depending on quality, the business leader said.
He further said prices could fall in a month with the arrival of new onions in the market.
Apart from onion, prices of vegetables and rice have also risen, with the lower- and middle-income people bearing the brunt.
Visiting several kitchen markets in the capital on Friday, it was found that vegetable prices had increased by Tk 10-15 per kg this week despite an increase in the supply of winter vegetables. Several consumers expressed their disappointment over the price hikes.
Tomato was sold at Tk 30-40 per kg, which was Tk 20-25 last week. Bean was sold for Tk 50-60 per kg, up from Tk 45-50 a week ago.
Bottle gourd was sold at Tk 80-100 per piece, which was Tk 70-90 last week. Cauliflower was sold at Tk 40-45 per piece, which was Tk 30-35 a week ago.
Brinjal was sold at Tk 60-80 per kg, with the price remaining stable in the last couple of weeks. Red amaranth was sold for Tk 15-20 per two bundles, and its price has also remained stable. Cabbage was sold at Tk 30-40 per piece depending on size and quality.
Aslam Miah, a vegetable seller in Karwan Bazar, said prices of all vegetables had increased as transportation costs were rising, which had directly impacted the market. However, many traders said they do not know the exact reason for the rise in prices.
On the other hand, rice prices have started to increase as the season is ending.
While talking, Md Sumon, owner of Sumon Rice Agency in Mirpur-1, said rice prices had gone up by Tk 2-3 per kg in the wholesale market this week.
He said the Miniket variety was being sold at Tk 58-63 per kg in the wholesale market, and Tk 60-65 in retail.
The Nazirshail variety was being sold at Tk 58 per kg. However, the better quality version was sold at Tk 64-70 per kg in the wholesale market, and Tk 66-73 in retail.
Nurul Islam, owner of Chistia Rice Agency in Mirpur, said, “As the rice season is ending, prices are rising. Prices will decrease in April or May as new rice will be available in the market then.”