Onion prices cross Tk 100 a kg

Prices of onion have gone up further crossing Tk 100 per kilogram in Bangladesh after India banned export of the kitchen staple. Market sources said local-variety onion is selling at Tk 100-120 a kg in different kitchen markets in the capital on Monday (Sept 30) while the prices of Indian-variety onion range between Tk 90 and Tk 110.

India on Sunday announced a ban on export of onion with immediate effect and other steps to help improve availability of the item and contain its soaring price in domestic markets.

Consumers, however, blamed syndicates of unscrupulous traders for the unchecked rise in the prices of the commodity, which has created added pressure on the household budget.

‘Syndicates of dishonest traders are behind the price spiral. How prices rise so much just a day after India banned export?’ said Anwar Hossain, who came to Town Hall Bazar in the capital to buy kitchen items.

Asaduzzaman, another consumer, told Barta24.com at Mohammadepur Agriculture Market, that traders can hike prices of essentials on their will as there is no government monitoring on the market.
The government’s move to sell onion in open market at five points in the city to arrest their price spiral has yielded little results.

Bangladesh produces 1.7 million (17 lakh) tonnes of onion a year against its demand for 2.2-2.4 million tonnes. The rest comes from India.