In a renewed surge, the price of murikata (early variety) onions has spiked by Tk 5-10 per kg, surpassing Tk 100 per kg on Monday, rebounding from Tk 90 per kg the previous day in Dhaka. The capital’s key markets, including Malibagh, Mogbazar, and Karwan Bazar, witnessed murikata onions being retailed at Tk 95-100 per kg. At the same time, the scarcity of imported onions intensified, with a few traders selling them at a higher rate of Tk 100-120 per kg.
Abul Bashar, the owner of ‘Rahsid Store’ in Malibagh kitchen market, emphasized the arrival of big-sized local onions, attributing the higher prices to their superior quality. However, he assured that there is no shortage of supply in the market.
The State-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh highlighted the increased onion prices in its Monday price list. Newly-arrived local varieties saw a rise to Tk 90-100 per kg from Tk 75-90 per kg a week ago in Dhaka, while imported onions reached Tk 100-120 per kg from Tk 85-90 per kg during the same period.
Production hubs in Sujanagar and Shanthia upazilas of Pabna reported an upward trend in murikata onion prices, with wholesale rates escalating to Tk 70-77.50 per kg on Monday from Tk 60-70 per kg a week earlier.
Farmers and traders pointed out that the low supply of murikata onions, which started entering the markets a month and a half ago, is contributing to the current price hikes. However, they anticipate a drop in prices when the main variety of halikata onions hits the market in a month.
Abdul Munnaf, owner of Munnaff Traders in Karmaja Chaturhat of Snathia, mentioned that the early variety of onions is in its final phase, causing low supply and price fluctuations.
The news also highlighted the previous surge in onion prices, reaching over Tk 200 per kg in local markets after India’s onion export ban in December 2023. While locally produced murikata onions were initially sold for Tk 150 per kg, prices dropped before rising again to Tk 75-80 per kg.
In response to India’s export ban, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DEA) is issuing import permits to source onions from alternative markets. Import quantities from countries other than India remain limited.
Egg Prices Follow Suit: As a parallel development, egg prices have also risen by at least Tk 5 per dozen over the week. Brown eggs now range from Tk 135-140 per dozen, while white eggs are priced at Tk 130-135 per dozen. Traders attribute the price hike to a low supply of eggs, with the TCB reporting a 7% increase over the last week.
Facing market volatility, the government set the egg price at Tk 144 per dozen. Additionally, 15 companies were granted permission to import 150 million eggs from India, but only 61,950 eggs were imported through Benapole land port, priced at Tk 7.23 per egg, including duty.
Todayeggrate.in, a website tracking egg prices in India, reported an egg price of Rs 6 or Tk 7.94 in Kolkata on Monday. Egg-importing companies have requested the government to reduce import duties, awaiting a decision that could impact businesses like Mim Enterprise, owned by Yar Hossain, who stressed the ongoing process of egg imports.
