CHATTOGRAM, Dec 03: The Chinese onion is replacing the Indian and Myanmar varieties of onion in the wholesale markets of Khatunganj, Asadganj and Chaktai in Chattogram.
As the price of Chinese onion is lower than the Indian and Myanmar ones, the city dwellers are buying the same in large quantities for the last two-three days here.
Consignments of Chinese onion kept entering Khatunganj from Wednesday and hursday last.
Imported by air-conditioned referred containers through Chattogram port, the onions, of big size, are being sold at Tk50-55 depending on the quality in the business hubs of Khatunganj, Asadganj and Chaktai.
Restaurant owners prefer to buy the large-sized Chinese onions as the price is lower than other small onions. Only three-four Chinese onions weigh one kg.
Manager of importer Mahin Traders said, "Two types of onion have come from China. Red onion is being sold at Tk50 while white onion at Tk55. Each bag contains 20 kg onion."
Mahbub Alam, a wholesaler, said, "Only one truck of Indian onions entered Khatunganj today (Sunday). The price of Indian onion is rising now. Indian onion which was Tk 93-95 yesterday is Tk98 today."
Sources said Indian onion is being sold at Tk97 per kg at the wholesale market in Khatunganj, Asadganj and Chaktai.
Shamsul Islam, a retail trader of Reajuddin Bazar said, "We are selling Indian onions. The price of our onion is higher than the Myanmar onion."
Haradhan Ghosh, a retail trader, said, "If onion is bought at Tk98, it has to be sold at Tk110. I will not get a buyer at that price. So I bought three sacks of Chinese onion of 20 kg each. Hopefully 70 rupees per kg will work."
It may be mentioned that Chinese onion is selling at 65-70 rupees and Indian onion is selling at Tk100-110 at retail markets in Chattogram.
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