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The prices of onion, which saw an unusual hike a few days back, maintained at the previous high of Tk 120 per kg at the city's retail markets on Thursday, trading sources said.
Onion prices surged by about 40 per cent from the previous rates of Tk 80 per kg just five days ago, according to them.
A visit to Mohammadpur Krishi Market and West Dhanmondi on Friday revealed that the price surge of onion irked the consumers, especially the limited income people.
Data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) also showed a sharp rise in the onion price.
Onion prices soared by 58.52 per cent to reach Tk 120 per kg just in a month.
The upward trend in the onion prices began last Monday, though some traders said the wholesale prices remained unchanged on Thursday.
The FE correspondent found that locally-grown onions were selling at Tk 115-120 per kg, which was Tk 75-85 just a week ago.
In the wholesale market, onion prices have reached Tk 108-110 per kg, compared to Tk 72-74 per kg about a week ago, said Abir Hasan, a spice trader at Shyam Bazar.
Following the sudden price surge, the government has intensified market monitoring.
Akbar Hossain, a grocer at West Dhanmondi area said a large consignment of imported onion is expected to arrive in the markets later this month, which may help stabilise its prices.
"Whatever the rates are now, the onion prices are unlikely to rise further, rather the prices may decline," he said.
He said opening up imports could also help bring prices down quickly, according to traders.
Meanwhile, rice prices started easing slightly in the last few days, as the main Aman harvesting season is only 10-15 days away.
Early varieties of Aman paddy have already begun in some cropping belts.
Meanwhile, the arrival of imported rice has also helped keep rice prices stable in the market, according to both retail and wholesale traders.
Currently, fine rice varieties like Shampa Katari and Nazirshail are selling at Tk 80-90 per kg, while Jeerashail and Miniket varieties are selling for Tk 75-92 per kg.
Retailers said the prices of the rice types dropped by Tk 1.0-2.0 per kg in the past week.
However, medium-grade BRRI Dhan 28 rice remains unchanged at Tk 65-70 per kg.
On the other hand, the increased supply of early winter vegetables also helped ease their prices to some extent.
However, the prices of cucumber maintained an uptrend.
Newly arrived cauliflower and cabbage were selling at Tk 30 to 50 each, country beans at Tk 70-100 per kg depending on varieties and cucumbers at Tk 90-100 per kg.
Farm eggs were being sold at Tk 140 per dozen, and broiler chicken prices remained stable at Tk 170-180 per kg. Prices of oil, sugar, and other essentials also remain static.
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