A sudden and sharp surge in onion prices has sent shockwaves through the markets in Bogura, with the cost per kilogram increasing by Tk 20 to Tk 25 in just three to four days.
This unprecedented hike has caused significant distress among consumers, who are now demanding strict market monitoring. Traders, however, attribute the spike to recent rains, the end of the harvesting season, and a halt in imports, expressing hope that prices will stabilize if supply increases.
A spot check in Bogura's markets on Sunday revealed a dramatic price jump. Just four days ago, onions were selling for Tk 65-70 per kg in the wholesale hub of Rajabazar and Tk 70-75 in retail markets. Now, the same onions are being sold for Tk 85-90 at the wholesale level and a staggering Tk 95-100 per kg in retail.
The sudden price surge has left low and middle-income consumers struggling to cope.
"I bought onions at Tk 72 per kg just three days ago. Today, I came to the market and found the price between Tk 95 and 100. I felt dizzy hearing the new prices," said Sabina Parvin Jolly, a homemaker.
Another consumer, Azizul Haque, lamented, "We are low-income people. When the prices of daily essentials rise like this, we can't make ends meet by the end of the month. Our expenses are surpassing our income."
Local traders and business leaders explained that the Bogura market is largely dependent on supplies from other districts.
"Our market relies on onions from the wholesale hubs in Pabna, Natore, and Kushtia. Prices have increased there, impacting our wholesale and retail markets here," said vendors Abdur Razzak and Hasan Ali. They cited recent rainfall and the end of the season as reasons for the reduced supply, compounded by the stoppage of Indian onion imports.
Parimal Prasad Raj, an advisor to the Rajabazar Traders Association, confirmed that onions are now being sold for Tk 85-90 per kg in Natore's wholesale markets. "Since Bogura's supply comes from Natore, Pabna, and Kushtia, we are affected by their prices. Supply naturally decreases at the end of the season, and the rains have made it worse," he stated. He added that prices are expected to stabilize if imports increase.
An official from the Department of Agricultural Extension, Faridur Rahman, provided context, stating that while Bogura itself produces 40,000 metric tons of onions from 3,500 hectares of land, it still must depend on other districts and imports to meet local demand.
