In the space of a week, the retail price of onions in the market has increased by 20 to 25 taka per kg. At the retail level, local onions are now being sold at a price of 75 to a maximum of 90 taka per kg, depending on the variety. However, in neighborhood shops, there are no onions below 85 taka.

Buyers say that a sudden price increase of 20-25 taka is not a normal occurrence. And sellers say that the price of onion has increased at the production site. Because many onions that farmers have with them have been spoiled. Now it is necessary to import onions from abroad to prevent price increase. But this is not possible due to lack of import permission. The government is also not allowing the import of onions, thinking that farmers may suffer losses.

Now, mainly domestic onions are sold in the market. A week ago, onions could be purchased at the retail level for 55 to 65 taka per kilogram, depending on the quality. After that, the price of onions suddenly increased to 15 to 20 taka per kilogram. Yesterday, Sunday, onions were sold at 75 to 90 taka per kilogram, depending on the type, in various markets in the capital.

This reporter visited the capital's Mohammadpur Agricultural Market, Town Hall Market, Hatirpul Market, Tejgaon's Kalmilta Market and Karwan Market to find out the price of onions. It was found that Pabna onions are being sold at a maximum price of 85 to 90 taka in retail shops. While onions from Faridpur and Manikganj are being sold at a price of 10 taka less; that is, they are being sold at a price of 75 to 80 taka per kg.

Last year, however, the price of onion was even higher at this time. According to data from the government agency Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), a kilogram of onion was sold at 110 to 120 taka per kg at this time last year. At that time, imported onion was 100 to 110 taka per kg. However, onion production has increased this year. As a result, there is no need to import it yet.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the country produced 4.448 million tons of onions in the last season; that is, in the 2024-25 fiscal year. The previous year, onion production was 3.911 million tons; that is, about 5.37 million tons more onions were produced last year. Even so, onion prices are increasing in the market.