Breaking trends, prices of onion, garlic fall before Eid

It has become a trend that onion price goes up in the country before Ramadan and Eid-ul-Adha as demand increases, however, this year there has been no unrest over onions yet. 

Instead, the price of the fast moving kitchen staple has dropped by Tk5-10 within a month. At the same time, prices of all kinds of garlic have come down too.

In some retail and wholesale markets in the capital, the local variety of onion is selling for Tk40-45 per kg, down from Tk48-50 a month ago. 

Imported onions are selling for a slightly lower price, at Tk30-35 per kg. In wholesale markets like Karwan Bazar, this onion is available at Tk25 a kg.

Md Roni, a grocer in Gudaraghat, said, "There is no problem with the supply of onions and the market is normal. At the same time, the price of garlic has come down."

Ashraful Haque, a wholesaler at Karwan Bazar, said no onion was imported from India due to Covid-19. At that time, the price of onion was Tk60 per kg. At present, Indian onions are available and there is no instability in the market.

Vendors said urban people prefer imported garlic as it is larger in size. However, those who spend a little on the market or low-income people buy local garlic. However, there are demands for both types of garlic.

Around one and a half months ago, imported garlic was selling for Tk150-180 per kg, which is Tk120-140. Some shops, however, have been seen asking for Tk150. Local garlic is selling for Tk100-120.

Meanwhile, state-owned marketing agency TCB's market analysis on Thursday showed that egg prices were still rising. The farm's chicken eggs were selling for Tk35 a hali (four pieces) or Tk105 a dozen. 

After high prices for several days, the price of broiler chicken came down. TCB broiler chickens are now selling for Tk130-135 per kg. However, most of the chicken sellers are still selling broiler chickens at Tk140-150 per kg.

Selim, a chicken seller in Rampura Bazar, said the price of chicken was Tk160 even 15 days ago. Now I am selling it at Tk145. Prices are likely to fall further before Eid-ul-Adha.

Meanwhile, TCB's market analysis data say the price of cumin has increased slightly, which is now selling for Tk320-360 a kg, up from Tk310-350 two days ago.