Onion prices still remain high in the markets even though new seed onions are now available and imports have started.
Onions were sold at Tk110-140 per kg on Friday.
Meanwhile, the government increased edible oil prices by Tk6.0-7.0 per litre on December 6 last. Bottled soybean oil is now selling at Tk195 per litre.
However, prices of newly harvested potatoes have declined. Depending on quality, new potatoes were sold for Tk35-60 a kg on the day.
Cold-storage potatoes were sold at the old rate of Tk25-30 a kg, according to market sources.
Local onions from last season were sold for Tk 130-140 per kg, newly supplied seed onions at Tk110-130 per kg and imported onions for Tk 110-120 per kg depending on quality.
Nurul Islam, a trader at Karwan Bazar, said that since local onion prices are high, importers are also selling imported onions at higher rates to match the market.
Although the import cost of Indian onions is at most Tk 50 per kg, they are being sold in the country's wholesale markets at Tk90-100 per kg, he said.
Another trader, Monowar Hossain, said only a small amount of onions has been imported so far.
Importers are cautious about importing more during the peak local season, as prices of local onions can drop sharply at any time.
However, despite high onion prices, consumers are getting some relief from declining vegetable prices.
Because of good supply, prices of many vegetables have started to fall. Over the past two weeks, prices of new potatoes have come down below Tk 60 per kg.
In the retail market, country beans are selling for Tk 60-80 per kg, down from Tk 80-100 last week.
Prices of long-yard beans, brinjals, and bitter gourd fell by Tk 10 per kg and those were selling for Tk 60-70 per kg. Okra and pointed gourd were selling for Tk 50-60 per kg.
Cauliflower and cabbage prices have also dropped further, with medium-sized ones selling for Tk 40-50 each.
Egg and chicken prices remained stable. Farm eggs are selling for Tk 120-130 per dozen.
Broiler chicken is selling for Tk 160-170 per kg, while Sonali/Pakistani chicken is priced at Tk 270-280 per kg.
Meanwhile, on December 6, the government increased the prices of both bottled and loose soybean oil by Tk 6.0 and Tk 7.0 per litre, respectively.
Palm oil prices rose by Tk 16 per litre.
As a result, the price of one-litre bottled soybean oil increased to Tk195 from Tk 189.
A 5-litre bottle now costs Tk955, up from Tk 922.
Loose soybean oil is now Tk 176 per litre, and palm oil is selling for Tk 166 per litre.
However, rice, pulses, beef, mutton and fish prices remain static maintaining previous highs.
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