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Economic Reporter //

In the commodity market, the price of eggs, sugar has decreased, but the price of edible oil, potato and onion has increased. Hilsa, the king of fish, is being sold at a high price during the full season. Hilsa is being sold for 1800 to 2000 taka per kg (1000 grams). Apart from this, each hilsa weighing half a kilogram is being sold for Tk 1,000 to 1200. Other indigenous fish prices remain stable. Apart from this, the prices of chicken, flour, pulses and spices have remained unchanged. The prices of rice and vegetables are slightly higher. Apart from this, as India has increased the export price of onion, imports from Pakistan, Egypt, China and Thailand have increased as an alternative. It is expected that soon the price of onion will come down in the country.

Kawran Bazar, Fakirapool Bazar, Kaptan Bazar and Khilgaon Railgate Bazar in the capital were visited on Friday. The supply of hilsa in the fish market has increased but the price has not decreased. Hilsa fish is sold at a high price during the full season. About a thousand rupees have to be spent to buy hilsa weighing half a kilogram. Fish sellers say that hilsa is being sold at a higher price in places in Barisal, Chandpur and Chittagong. Because of this, the retail price is also high. However, if more fish are caught in the seas and rivers, the price may drop slightly at any time. Although hilsa fish is sold at a higher price, the price of local fish remains stable. Apart from this, broiler, golden and native chickens are being sold at earlier prices. Broiler chickens are being sold at Tk 165-170, golden Tk 260-270 and domestic Tk 450-550 per kg in the retail market. Eggs are being sold at Tk 52-53 per day. The price of beef and mutton remains unchanged.

Apart from this, the prices of flour, pulses, masalapati remained unchanged, but the price of rice increased slightly. Apart from this, palm oil is being sold at Tk 130-135 per liter, potato at Tk 55-60 per kg and onion at Tk 100-120 per kg. But besides India, the import of onion has increased from Pakistan, Egypt, China and Thailand. It should be noted that the annual demand of onions in the country is about 3 million tons. India used to meet 30 percent of the demand beyond domestic production.

Due to various reasons including floods, the price of onions in India has increased and the country’s market has also become unstable. The retail price of onion rose to Tk 130. In this situation, traders are importing onions from Pakistan, Egypt, China and Thailand as alternative sources. Five thousand tons of onions were imported from these four countries in July and August. Onion is also being imported from India and Myanmar through land ports. Apart from this, traders have taken permission to import two lakh 70 thousand tons of onions. The plant pest control center of the Department of Agriculture Extension is allowing quick release of these onions after testing.