The prices of potatoes and onions imported from India has decreased at the wholesale market of Hili land port in Dinajpur.
The price of potato has dropped by Tk 3 and are now being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 62 per kg, while onion price dropped by Tk 5 and being sold at Tk 70 per kg.
Traders said the price dropped due to an increase in imports. Buyers have expressed hope that if potatoes are sold at Tk 30 per kg and onions at Tk 40 per kg, it will bring significant relief to the general public.
Buyer Ahnaf Afif, who came to purchase potatoes and onions, said that he had visited the market the previous day when prices were slightly higher. On Friday, he noticed a reduction in prices in the retail market, with Indian potatoes being sold at Tk 65 per kg and Indian onions at Tk 70 per kg. However, local onions were being sold at Tk 100 per kg.
Despite the reduction, he expressed concern that prices are still beyond the reach of average consumers. He emphasized the importance of regular market monitoring and stated that if potatoes could be sold at Tk 30 per kg and onions at Tk 40 Taka per kg, it would provide much-needed relief to ordinary people.
Shahidul Islam, an importer at the Hili land port, explained that the prices of onions in India have started to drop due to the arrival of new onion there. Previously, onions were imported at a rate of 440 USD per tonne, but the current rate has decreased to 410 USD per tonne.
Raihan Kabir, a potato and onion seller in the Hili market, said that the steady imports of potatoes and onions from India have slightly increased supply in the market, leading to a gradual decrease in prices. He added that they are now buying potatoes and onion at lower prices and selling at reduced rates, but there has been a noticeable decline in the number of customers compared to before.
Shakhawat Hossain Shipli, president of the Import-Export Group at the Hili land port, said that traders have opened a significant number of Letters of Credit (LCs) to ensure a steady supply and keep prices reasonable in the domestic market. He expressed optimism that if imports continue uninterrupted, prices are likely to decrease further.
According to sources from Hili Customs, 55 trucks carrying 1,520 metric tonnes of potatoes and 13 trucks carrying 380 metric tonnes of onions were imported through the Hili land port on Thursday. These continued imports are expected to stabilize the market further and potentially bring more relief to consumers.
