Onion prices in Dhaka rose past Tk150 per kg on Friday, with all varieties selling between Tk150–160 per kg depending on size and quality.
The item was priced at Tk110–120 just a week ago, marking a Tk40 increase per kg. Sellers who had warned of a possible hike last week said their concerns had now materialized.
Despite slight declines in a few varieties, the broader vegetable market remained high and out of reach for low-income consumers. The situation was observed during a spot visit to the Mirpur-1 kitchen market on Friday.
Traders said onion prices rose rapidly as domestic stocks approached depletion at the end of the season. Cross-variety onions were selling at Tk150–160 per kg, with smaller bulbs at Tk150 and larger ones at Tk160. Local onions were Tk160. Red and white potatoes were Tk25 per kg, Bogura potatoes Tk40, local garlic Tk80–110, Chinese garlic Tk170–180, Chinese ginger Tk180–200, and Indian ginger Tk140–160 depending on quality.
A week-to-week comparison showed a uniform increase of Tk40 per kg across all onion types. Bogra potato prices rose by Tk5, while Indian ginger prices dropped by Tk20. Prices of other essentials remained unchanged.
Md Liton, a seller, said: “The onions that were in stock are almost finished, so the price has gone up. But such a sudden rise is not right. The price increased by Tk30 within a week. The way things are going, onion prices may reach Tk170–180 within two or three days.”
Another trader, Md Alauddin, said: “Onion prices are already very high. But I can’t understand why they’re rising. Prices should not increase like this now.”
Customer Md Ashraf Ali said: “We have bought onions at Tk300 per kg before. Now let’s see how far it goes. The rate of increase is not good. Ultimately, we are the victims. There’s actually no one to solve our problems.”
Vegetable prices showed no major relief for more than three months. Traders claimed prices had fallen slightly, but most items remained expensive and beyond the reach of the average household.
On Friday, Indian tomatoes were Tk150–160 per kg, local tomatoes Tk120, and green tomatoes Tk60–70. Local carrots were Tk60–70, Chinese carrots Tk120, long eggplants Tk70–80, white round eggplants Tk70–80, black round eggplants Tk80–90, and beans Tk60–140 depending on type. Turnips were Tk60, new potatoes Tk80–90, spring onions Tk100, onion stalks Tk120–160, local cucumbers Tk80–90, bitter gourd Tk100–120, karela Tk80–100, okra Tk100–120, hybrid pointed gourd Tk60–80, local pointed gourd Tk120, snake gourd Tk70–80, wax gourd Tk80, ridge gourd Tk100, yardlong beans Tk80–100, taro stems Tk80, radish Tk50–60, taro root Tk70–80, green chilies Tk100–120, and coriander leaves Tk80–130 depending on quality. Hybrid cucumber was Tk60, papaya Tk40, and sweet pumpkin Tk50.
Bottle gourds were Tk80–120 each depending on quality, ash gourd Tk70, cauliflower Tk40, cabbage Tk40, broccoli Tk80, green bananas Tk40 per bunch, and lemons Tk40–50 per bunch.
Md Rajib, a vegetable seller, said prices had fallen “a lot,” adding they may decline further. “Only off-season vegetables are expensive now, which is normal,” he said.
Customer Md Harunur Rashid said: “It’s true some vegetable prices have dropped a little. But that doesn’t mean prices have actually come down.”
Chicken prices remained steady for several weeks, with additional reductions on Friday for all varieties except local chicken. Prices of beef, mutton, and eggs showed no change.
Beef was selling at Tk780 per kg, mutton at Tk1200, broiler chicken at Tk153–165, cockerel chicken at Tk237–270, layer chicken at Tk278–300, and local chicken at Tk580 per kg. Red eggs were Tk110 per dozen, white eggs Tk100–105, and duck eggs Tk200.
Broiler chicken prices fell by Tk2–5 per kg, cockerel by Tk8–10, and layer chicken by Tk5. Local chicken prices rose by Tk30.
A seller at Al-Amin Chicken House said poultry prices had been declining for nearly a month but predicted an increase soon. “This price won’t stay. It will rise once school exams end. There will be picnics, and then the 31st is coming… prices will go up,” he said.
Fish prices also remained high: hilsa was Tk1100–3000 per kg depending on size, rui Tk400–600, katla Tk350–600, kalibaush Tk400–800, shrimp Tk800–1500, kachki Tk400–500, koi Tk250–1200, pabda Tk400–800, shing Tk400–1200, tengra Tk600–1200, bele Tk1000–1400, meni Tk600–800, boal Tk550–1200, and rupchanda Tk1200–1500.
Grocery store prices saw no changes except for soybean oil, which increased by Tk9 per liter for bottled varieties.
Packet pulao rice was Tk155 per kg, while loose pulao rice was Tk90–130 depending on quality. Small masoor dal was Tk155, coarse masoor dal Tk90, large mung dal Tk140, small mung dal Tk170, khesari dal Tk100, chickpeas Tk115, chola Tk110, and mashkalai dal Tk180.
Bottled soybean oil was Tk198 per liter, loose soybean oil Tk172, canned ghee Tk1450–1550, loose ghee Tk1250, packet sugar Tk110, loose sugar Tk95, 2-kg packet flour Tk130, 2-kg packet atta Tk130, and loose mustard oil Tk220 per liter.
Spice prices included cardamom at Tk4750 per kg, cinnamon Tk500, cloves Tk1280, white pepper Tk1350, and black pepper Tk1180.
