Onion prices go up in Rangpur, Magura

Abnormal surge in prices of onion in the local markets has sent shivers down the common consumers' spines in the last couple of weeks in Rangpur and Magura districts.
Farmers of the district could not benefit from the bumper production of the crop because of its price manipulation by a section of middlemen in the local markets.
Our Rangpur correspondent reports: The price spiral of onion has come as a fresh shock for the common people of the district while they are already trying to stay afloat amid the persistent price spiral of almost all the essential commodities in the district.
However, wholesalers attributed the prevailing circumstances to the supply crunch compared to a massive demand, which is causing precariousness in the price of the vital spicy crop.
On the other hand, consumers alleged that price of onion is soaring due to its manipulation by a syndicate of middlemen and hoarders.
A section of unscrupulous profit mongers are creating artificial crisis of onion despite ample supply of the same in the markets during this peak season. Consequently, its price has shot up, they further alleged.
According to market sources, per kg locally grown onion is being sold at Tk55 to 60 in retail markets against its previous price of Tk 30 to 35 per kg a couple of weeks ago. In the retail market, onion price has increased by Tk 25 to Tk 30 per kg.
Meanwhile, a kg onion is being sold at Tk 52 to 55 in wholesale markets which was Tk25 to 28 a kg even a couple of weeks back.
Khokon, a day labourer who works at a plant nursery at Nurpur in Rangpur city, told The Financial Express it has become almost impossible for him to maintain his family of five members with his petty income due to abnormal price hike of essentials, including onion.
He said that most of the poor people like him are under tremendous pressure as the rising price of essential commodities including onion has hit them severely.
Md. Reaz, an employee of a shopping mall in Rangpur city, told The Financial Express that onion price has shot up abruptly, but their income has remained the same. It has become so troublesome for the low-income people like him to find the way for survival, he said.
Regarding the increase in onion prices, Md Ramjan Ali, a wholesaler at Rangpur City Bazar, said, "Many people have started storing onions at home. Due to this, the supply of onions in the market has decreased compared to the demand. In addition, the price has started soaring because of the lack of onion imports from outside," he added.
Abdur Rahman Mintu, a non-government teacher in Rangpur city, said during entire Ramadan, the price of onion did not increase, but presently the price is increasing abnormally.
The government should immediately strengthen monitoring in the markets. Otherwise, the market may become extremely unstable before Eid-ul-Azha, he added.
Mohsin Mia, a retailer of onion at Kamalkachna Bazar in the city, told the FE as they are bound to purchase onion at a higher price from wholesale markets, they have to sell it at an excessive price. Actually, they do not know why the price of onion has increased.
Our Magura correspondent writes: Prices of the key cooking ingredient have gone up in the local markets in the last couple of weeks hitting the commoners hard.
Bumper production of onion has failed to bring smile on the faces of farmers as middlemen are dominating the local markets depriving the growers.
Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Magura, informed the FE they brought 12,930 hectares of land under onion cultivation in the district this season.
The bumper production has been achieved in the district to the tune of 199,347 tonnes. Harvesting is very close to completion. Contacted, Keshto Sarkar of Tengakhali village in Magura sadar upazila, said, "Onion is being sold in the retail market at Tk55 per kg while we selling it at Tk30 per kg.
"This price does not cover our production cost. Actually middlemen are dominating the markets by forming syndicate," he added.
Karam Shekh, a retailer of Puratan Bazar in Magura town, said, "We are selling onion at Tk 55 per kg purchasing it at Tk50 from wholesalers. It means we are making only Tk 5 profit from one kg onion."
Wholesaler
Tilam Hossen of Dhaka Road area in Magura town said, "Earlier we purchased onion at Tk30 per kg from farmers. But now we are purchasing it at Tk40 from farmers and selling at Tk50 to the retailers.
Such profit is reasonable. We run business for profit, not to make loss."
Humayan Kabir Raza , president of District Traders' Association, said the government should ensure fair price of onion to protect interest of growers. Farmers will feel discouraged to produce onion unless they get fair price."
Such discouragement may cause an adverse impact on onion production in the coming season bringing extreme sufferings to the common consumers.
When contacted, DAE , Magura Deputy Director (acting ) Prokash Chandra Sarkar said due to extensive cultivation and bumper production of onion in the district the price is low. When asked about syndicate, he denied to make any comment in this regard.

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