Onion now Tk140 per kg, more than double govt-set price

The price of onion has jumped by Tk30 to reach Tk140 per kg in a week, more than double the price set by the government. 

Amid an uncontrollable price hike of daily necessities, the government set the price of onion at Tk64-65 per kg, potato at Tk35-36 per kg and eggs at Tk12 apiece on 14 September.

However, potatoes and onions were still being sold at twice the set price.  

Visiting the kitchen markets in Hatirpool, Moghbazar and Karwan Bazar areas, it was observed that local onions were being sold at Tk140 per kg and potatoes at Tk60 per kg.

Tajul Islam, who sells potatoes and onions in the Hatirpool market, said, "Today I bought locally produced onions for Tk136 per kg. If we sell below Tk140, there will be no profit."

Also, as the 3-day blockade ended on Thursday and on Friday was a holiday, more people were seen visiting the kitchen markets in the capital. 

Mahmuda Akhter bought half a kg of potatoes for Tk30 and 300 grams of beans for Tk30 from Ambagan, Noyatola. She said it had become difficult to run the family.

"If prices were lower, I would have bought a kilogramme," she said.

Karwan Bazar kitchen market in Dhaka is right next to the office of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, which regularly monitors the market.

However, the government's fixed prices continue to be flouted right under the nose of the consumer protection body in Karwan Bazar. 

Shahidul Islam, an onion wholesaler at Karwan Bazar, selling 5kg of onions for Tk650-680 now, compared to Tk500-Tk600 last week, said, "Onion supply is now lower than demand. We are now selling the stored onions. The price will decrease if there is a high import from India, and it will increase if the import is low." 

Meanwhile, prices of vegetables decreased by Tk15-Tk20 per kg compared to last week. Most vegetables in the market were priced between Tk60-Tk80 per kg. 

Vegetables such as string beans, okra, pointed gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, bitter gourd and a few others are being sold at Tk60 per kilogram.

However, a kilogram of beans is being sold at Tk100 to Tk120 like before.

Mizanur Rahman, who brought some groceries from Mohammadpur, said  he bought broiler chicken at Tk190 per kg, three eggs for Tk40, two lemons for Tk10. 

Working as a security guard he gets a salary of Tk14,000. He sends Tk6,000 to his village for his wife and son and spends the rest on expenses for himself.

Mizanur Rahman said, the price of everything is increasing but income is not increasing. "As my wife and son live with my parents I have to send a little less money. I cannot live in Dhaka with my wife and children as it is very expensive. My son is only 18 months old, he needs nutritious food. I don't know how I will manage expenses in the future."

Over 100% price jump

According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, domestic onion was priced at Tk52-65 at this time a year ago, which has increased by 122% to Tk125-135.

Besides, potato prices jumped by 109% to Tk55-60 from Tk25-30 per kg last year. Sugar prices jumped 20% from Tk105-115 to TK130-135.

On Wednesday, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) slashed the import duty on sugar by half. However, instead of a price drop, the market has witnessed a Tk5 increase in just a week, with open sugar now selling at Tk135 to Tk140.