Dhaka traders fix onion prices
Action will be taken if anyone at Shyambazar wholesale market overcharge customers
Traders in Dhaka's Shyambazar wholesale market have fixed prices of imported onion.
The traders at a meeting on early Friday decided that imported onion from Myanmar would be sold at Tk80-85 while onion from Egypt, Turkey and China would be sold at Tk50-55 per kilogram at the wholesale market.
They also announced that action will be taken if anyone at Shyambazar market does not comply with the decision.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
However, the wholesalers did not fix the price of locally grown onion due to "ongoing supply crisis." Local onions were being sold at Tk90 per kg on Friday at the market.
On early Friday, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told the journalists in Rangpur: "We are trying but it is unlikely that onion can be supplied below Tk100 per kg until onions of the upcoming season arrive."
"The price might drop slightly once imported onion consignments from Egypt reach Chattogram port," said Tipu.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh (Cab) President Golam Rahman said: "The commerce minister's comment reflects the reality. However, we want the price to drop as soon as possible."
Raid at Shyambazar
After traders fixed onion prices, a commerce ministry team raided Shyambazar wholesale market on Friday.
The team found the wholesalers overcharging the customers defying the decision that the traders' association took earlier. They fined Nagar Banijyalay Tk20,000, Amanat Bhander Tk20,000, New Banijyalay Tk20,000 and Alhaj Banijyalay Tk50,000.
Assistant Director (Dhaka Division) of the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection Abdul Jabbar Mondol took part in the commerce ministry's drive.
Though the traders agreed upon a fixed price of onion, some were overcharging the consumers, said Jabbar. "Our drives will continue against the dishonest onion sellers," he concluded.
The wholesale market traders' association President Md Sayeed told The Business Standard: "We fixed onion prices as per the government directive. Action will be taken against those who will not comply with the fixed prices."
