Onion prices rise by Tk35 per kg in two days

Onion prices have surged again in the retail market, increasing by Tk 35 per kg within two days.

Traders attribute the spike to reduced supply from producing regions and delayed arrival of seasonal 'murikata' onions.

Retail onions that sold for Tk 115–120 per kg on Wednesday were priced at Tk 145–150 on Thursday.

Prices have risen by around Tk 40 over the past week. TCB data, however, shows current prices remain about 10 percent lower than last year.

According to traders, farmers and stockists are releasing onions slowly amid speculation that imports will not resume. Wholesale rates in key production hubs—Faridpur, Rajbari, Kushtia and Pabna—have jumped by Tk 1,000–1,200 per maund within two days.

Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said stocks are adequate and new onions will soon enter the market, which is why import permits have not yet been issued.

"Maybe, hoarders are taking advantage of this government move," he said.