MAGURA, July 30: Unusual price hike of onion has raised concern among the people in the district.
A good number of locals said upcoming Eid-ul-Azha may be the main reason behind this.
During a visit to Pouratan Bazar in the district town local onion was selling at Tk 60 per kg as against Tk 40 around three weeks ago.
On the other hand, Indian onion was selling at Tk 40 per kg as against Tk 25 per kg.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Magura, sources said a total of 6,650 hectares of land were brought under onion cultivation in the district this season.
The growers have achieved 78,430 tonnes of onion. Moreover, harvest completed three months ago.
Farmer Nurul Kadir of Kalundi village under Sreepur upazila said, "We sold our produce at Tk 20 per kg to traders two months ago. But now the same onion is being sold at Tk 60 per kg.
He said traders hike the price by making syndicate.
Locals said onion price is increasing every day. Traders are storing the necessary kitchen item for the upcoming Eid. The government should monitor the market situation immediately.
Trader Tilam Hossein, however, denied the allegation of making syndicate.
He said, "We are now selling Indian onion. The price is high due to high import cost."
Magura district marketing officer Jakir Hossein said market monitoring is going on regularly. "We do not see anything abnormal in the market", he added.
