The prices of garlic, both local and imported varieties, rose substantially over the past few days in the wholesale and retail markets, mainly due to rise in import prices of Chinese garlic, traders said.
"The Chinese garlic price was $650 per tonne just 15 days back, which has increased up to $800-$900, depending on types," Abul Kalam Azad, a garlic importer of Shyambazar, told the FE Thursday.
He said: "We don't know the reasons behind the price hike, but suddenly the Chinese exporters have increased the prices of their produce."
The imported garlic was selling at prices between Tk 75 and Tk 85 per kg in the city's different kitchen markets Thursday, which were Tk 60 to Tk 80 one week back.
Besides, local variety of garlic was selling between Tk 80 and Tk 90 per kg on the day, which was Tk 60 to Tk 70 last week.
Narayan Saha, a wholesaler of Shyambazar, said: "The price of local small variety garlic was between Tk 1,600 and Tk 1,800 per maund last week, which is now selling between Tk 2,000 and Tk 2,200." "The price of local big size garlic was between Tk 1,800 and Tk 2,000 per maund, which is now selling at Tk 2,400 to Tk 2,600."
A kg of local small size garlic was sold from Tk 36 to Tk 38 last week, which is now Tk 55 to Tk 60. Besides, a kg of local big size garlic was sold between Tk 52 and Tk 55, while it is now between Tk 62 and Tk 65 at wholesale level.
Traders said the prices of local variety garlic increased, as the prices of Chinese varieties increased recently. The prices of local garlic might increase further, as the farmers or middlemen are keeping the produce in their stock.
But before the Eid-ul-Azha new lot of imported garlic will enter into the market, they also said.
Garlic is mainly produced in Natore, Faridpur, Rajbari, Pabna and some other districts in the country.
Garlic prices soar due to higher import cost
Sonia H Moni | Published: September 05, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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