The unusual surge in the price of onions has hit low-income people hard while the government initiatives are hardly helping contain the price-hike.

Onion prices have gone up by Tk30-40 per kg in the retail and wholesale markets of the country after India suspended import of the popular cooking ingredient temporarily two days ago.

The prices remain high despite several initiatives taken by the government to curb the sudden hike. TCB’s OMS sale and mobile court drives are not helping much to contain the price.

The sudden price hike triggered a distress among low income consumers and many fear that the upward trend might get out of control like previous year. Onion prices hit record high last year.  

Visiting firsthand at different kitchen markets in the capital on Wednesday morning, it was seen that Indian onion is being sold at Tk 70 per kg while local onion is being sold at Tk 100 per kg.

Onion traders said the prices remain unchanged on Wednesday and it is unlikely to come down soon. 

Abdus Salam, owner of a general store in Mirpur-10 intersection, told Banglanews that retail prices increased because of the increase in wholesale prices yesterday. “I don’t know today’s wholesale prices but retail prices remain same.”   

Rabiul Islam, another onion trader in Mirpur area, said he purchased local onion at Tk 85 per kg from wholesale market and selling those at Tk100 per kg.

“I sold Indian onions at Tk 65 per kg yesterday but the price is Tk 70 for today because wholesale price gone up,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, regular consumers complained that traders are demanding at least Tk 10 more for per kg of onion.

“Yesterday, local and Indian onions were selling at Tk 90 and Tk 60 per kg respectively.  However, the prices gone up by Tk 10 today. How come? Some unethical traders are taking advantage of the situation and squeezing consumers for making some extra cash,” said one housewife Rahima Khatun.

BDST: 1558 HRS, SEP 16, 2020
AP/SMS