Arresting onion and potato price

Onion is an essential cooking ingredient in Bangladesh. However, it often gets pricier since we are largely dependent on imported onions. Currently, the price of onion has increased again to an astounding limit. One may recall at this point that the price of onion had gone through the roof in the past when the government had to import this essential commodity. Onions are now selling at Tk 130-140 per kilogram in Dhaka city's kitchen markets. This is Tk 70 to 80 more than what was a few months ago. The onion market is unstable in rural areas of the country too. The limited-income people, especially day-labourers, are struggling to meet their daily expenses. Onion is an indispensable item for cooking. But every year, in this season in particular, onion prices go beyond the reach of common people.
The prices of other daily groceries are also increasing every week. Potato market in Bangladesh is volatile as well. The price of potato has reached Tk 65 per kg in the retail market, which was Tk 30 just two months ago. No one can have a rational explanation for why potato price is rising abnormally. Potato is one of the cheapest food items in Bangladesh. A large number of poor people rely on potato for their everyday meals. If the price of potato goes beyond their reach, it will leave millions of commoners in dire straits. Therefore, the government should immediately address the problem of onion and potato price spiral and take effective measures to bring the price of potato and onion under control.

Shabab Mazhar Wafi,
Student of Department of Marketing and International Business,
School of Business and Economics,
North South University, Dhaka,
shababwafiatoz@gmail.com