Amid improved supply, the prices of onion dropped slightly yesterday in both retail and wholesale markets in the capital.
Visiting several wholesale and retail markets including Rampura, Hatirpool, New market, Karwanbazar and Shyambazar, Dhaka Tribune found that retail prices of onion was eased by Tk15-20 per kilogram and Tk10 per kg in wholesale.
Traders said the prices of onion, an essential ingredient for cooking, were declining for last two days, with the increased supply in the markets.
“A huge amount of onions is coming from Myanmar every day. As a result, the supply is very good now,” Hazi Imam Hossen, a Shyambazar based wholesaler, told Dhaka Tribune.
He hoped that the price would drop further with the increase of imports.
In retail markets, local onion was selling from Tk 90 to Tk 100 a kg, down from Tk 110 to Tk 115 on Wednesday.
Besides, imported onion was selling between Tk85 and Tk 90 per kg which was Tk95 to Tk100 a day earlier.
Awal Hossain, a consumer at Hatirpool kitchen market said onion prices dropped in the wholesale markets which had a little impact on retail prices.
“We have no option other than buying onion at higher prices,” he said, calling for strengthening market monitoring.
While visiting Karwanbazar, a wholesale market in the capital, local onion was selling between Tk75 and 80 per kg which was Tk85-90 per kg a day earlier.
Prices of Indian onion fell to Tk65-75 per kg yesterday from Tk80-85 on Wednesday in the market.
On the other hand, in the Shyambazar wholesale market, local onion was selling at Tk65-70 per kg which was Tk75-80 a day earlier. Indian onion price fell to Tk60-70 per kg yesterday from Tk80-85 on Wednesday.
Besides, prices of the onion from Myanmar fell to Tk40-50 per kg, which was Tk60-70 earlier. The onion was found available only at Shyambazar wholesale market.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi yesterday assured that the prices of onions would drop further within a couple of days.
“483 tons of onion from Myanmar reached Teknaf. Another consignment of around 400 to 500 tons from the country is arriving soon,” he said.
Apart from Myanmar, onion started coming in from Turkey, he informed.
Rafiqul Islam, proprietor of Rafiq traders, a retailer in Badda area, came to the Karwan Bazar for buying onions.
He said that there was a crisis of good quality onions in the market despite the surge in imports.
