Onion, Garlic, Ginger prices up

Retail and wholesale prices of onion, garlic and ginger increased, while the prices of eggs, green-chilly and some vegetables decreased on Friday as compared to prices of these produces in last week. 

During visits to different kitchen markets on Friday, it was found that locally produced onion was selling at Tk 55-58 per kg, while imported onion was selling at Tk 50-52 per kg. Last week the price for one kg of locally produced onion was Tk 45 and one kg of imported onion was Tk 40.

It was found on Friday that imported ginger was selling at Tk 160 per kg, while locally grown ginger was selling at Tk 180 per kg (Last week the prices of these were Tk 150 and Tk 160, respectively); the price for a kg of garlic also increased by Tk 10 from last week; locally grown garlic was selling at Tk 165 per kg and imported garlic was selling at Tk 160 per kg.

“Prices of every kg of onion, garlic, ginger and some of the other produces increased to the tune of Tk 2 to 3 this week. It is the wholesaler or importer of these produces who know the reasons behind this price hike,” said Ahmed Ali, a retailer at Hatirpool kitchen market. 

When asked about the reasons behind the price hike, a trader at Karwan Bazar wholesale market said that the importers raised prices owing to price increases in the international market.

Some of the wholesale traders pointed at different other reasons for the price hike, the other reasons being rainy weather, shortage of supply and season change (monsoon ending). 

“The season for selling the commodities is coming to its close. So, with the approach of the off-season, the prices of the commodities have been increased. Besides, supply of the commodities are falling short due to untimely rainy weather, further pushing up the prices,” said Shahidul Alam, another wholesale trader from Karwan Bazar.

However, price for every hundred eggs fell by Tk 70, down from Tk 820 in last week to Tk 750 on Friday; price of green-chilly also decreased by Tk 20 per kg, down from Tk 80 last week to Tk 60 per kg on Friday; other vegetable prices were found decreased and stable.

In retail markets, per kg potato was selling at Tk 20, while per kg green-papaya; okra; pointed-gourd; and other vegetables were selling between Tk 30 and 40. Prices of several of these vegetables were around Tk 50 last week. 

Prices of cucumber and tomato increased early this month, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, their prices remaining unchanged on Friday. On Friday, the prices of per kg cucumber moved between Tk 60 and 70, a significant increase from Tk 40 per kg ahead of Eid.

Similarly, prices of per kg tomato moved between Tk 150 and 160 on Friday, the price range being the same as it had been during eid. Before Eid, it was sold at Tk 100 per kg.