Following a continuous spell of heavy rainfall and flooding across several parts of Bangladesh, onion prices in Dhaka’s retail markets have shot up by Tk 15–20 per kilogram within just three to four days, piling further strain on consumers already grappling with high vegetable prices.
A market inspection across key retail hubs in Malibagh and Rampura on Saturday (July 25) revealed a sharp upward trajectory in onion rates.
Price Breakdown: Retail and Wholesale
| Quality / Market Level | Previous Price | Current Price |
| Premium Retail (per kg) | Tk 40 | Tk 60 |
| Medium Retail (per kg) | Tk 35–40 | Tk 50–55 |
| Wholesale (per 5-kg palla) | Tk 200–220 | Tk 260–280 |
Supply Chain Bottlenecks and Warehouse Damage
Traders have attributed the sudden price hike to severe supply disruptions caused by widespread flooding and relentless torrential rains in major producing regions, including North Bengal, Faridpur, and Kushtia.
Key drivers cited by sellers include:
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Transportation Delays: Flooding on primary supply routes has severely hampered truck movements from key agricultural hubs (mokams) to the capital.
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Storage Losses: Waterlogging in rural storage facilities has caused significant quantities of harvested onions to rot before reaching wholesale markets.
“Dhaka relies heavily on onions arriving from North Bengal, Faridpur, and Kushtia. Continuous rains have driven up procurement costs at the source. Since we are buying at higher rates, we have no choice but to adjust our retail prices,” explained Abdul Hakim, a vendor at Malibagh Railgate Market.
Consumer Frustration Grows
The abrupt rise has drawn sharp reactions from everyday shoppers, many of whom feel traders are using weather conditions as leverage to inflate prices.
“I bought onions at Tk 40 per kg last week, and today I had to pay Tk 20 more. Prices of almost every essential item are rising—sudden price spikes like this make running a household extremely difficult,” said Mamun, a local resident shopping in Malibagh.
