Onion prices have skyrocketed in Birganj upazila of Dinajpur, with local varieties now selling at Tk 100–110 per kilogramme — up by Tk 25–30 in just two days.
Only three days ago, onions were sold between Tk 70 and Tk 75 per kg, but the hike has now pushed them beyond the reach of many consumers.
The price of onions, which stood at Tk 72–85 per kg on Friday and Saturday, has now climbed to Tk 90–105 in the wholesale market.
Traders at the largest municipal market blamed the sudden price increase on the suspension of Indian onion imports, saying the shortfall in supply has created pressure on locally produced onions.
Retailers said wholesale prices have jumped by Tk 20–25 per kg over the last two days, leading to an acute shortage in the market. The current supply is far from adequate to meet daily demand, they added.
Meanwhile, onion seed sowing has only recently begun in several unions, including Shibrampur, Palashbari, Shatgram, Paltapur, Sujalpur, Nijpara, Mohammadpur, Bhognagar, Sator, Mohanpur, and Moricha. As a result, it will take some more time before fresh onions reach the market.
However, traders have urged the government to permit onion imports.
Stakeholders warned that if import approvals are delayed, market instability may worsen further — directly affecting ordinary consumers.
