Onion price-hike, again

The sudden rise in the prices of different varieties of onion in the Bangladesh market in the past few days has come as another concern in public life amid the coronavirus pandemic. Prices of some other essential items have also increased at a time when income of most of the people has eroded or come down to zero in cases.

The onion price-hike is symptomatic of the crisis that plagued the Bangladesh market last year. This year, authorities concerned should have had enough preparations for ensuring adequate supply of onion, which is an essential ingredient of cooking foods in Bangladesh. Experience shows price-hike often leads to or is an outcome of artificial shortfall of the item in the retail market. Therefore, we hope, the government wouldtakemeasures as necessary to make sure that the prices of onion and other items do not go beyond the purchasing power of the commoners.

RJ Chowdhuiry

Farmgate, Dhaka

[email protected]