Eid demand pushes up onion, ginger prices

Consumers in Dhaka are facing renewed pressure as prices of essential commodities continue to rise ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with eggs, onions and ginger leading the latest surge in retail markets.

The price of a dozen eggs has climbed to Tk 150 in most city markets, while in neighbourhood shops it is being sold even higher. The increase marks a sharp rise from previous weeks, adding to household strain already affected by persistently high vegetable prices.

A visit to several retail and wholesale markets on Friday showed that onions and ginger have also become more expensive over the past week. Traders and wholesalers linked the increase to rising demand ahead of the upcoming Eid season.

Onion prices have gone up by at least Tk 10 per kilogram in a week. Locally produced onions are now selling at Tk 45 to Tk 50 per kg, compared to Tk 35 to Tk 40 earlier. Ginger has seen an even steeper rise, increasing by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kg and now selling between Tk 170 and Tk 190 per kg.

Traders said prices are moving upward daily in wholesale markets, with increases of Tk 1 to Tk 2 per kg, which is being reflected at the retail level.

Retailers argue that they have little control over pricing, as they are forced to adjust according to wholesale rates. Some also pointed to the role of middlemen in driving up prices during periods of increased demand.

Despite the overall rise, garlic prices have remained stable due to sufficient local supply in the market.

Meanwhile, the egg market has remained volatile since last week, with prices jumping from Tk 130-135 to Tk 150 per dozen. In some areas, eggs are being sold at as high as Tk 155.
Chicken prices, however, have remained relatively stable. Broiler chicken is currently selling at Tk 170 to Tk 185 per kg, while golden chicken is priced between Tk 330 and Tk 350 per kg.

Vegetable prices also remain high, with most items selling between Tk 70 and Tk 120 per kg. Even lower-priced vegetables such as papaya are now costing Tk 60 to Tk 80 per kg. Eggplant is selling at Tk 90 to Tk 120, while other common vegetables such as chichinga, dhundal and jhinghe are priced at Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kg. Bitter gourd, barbati and kakrol are even higher, reaching Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kg.

With rising prices across essential items, lower- and middle-income families are under increasing financial pressure. Consumers fear the situation may worsen further if market monitoring is not strengthened ahead of Eid.

Many buyers said price hikes have become routine, often justified by supply disruptions or market conditions. They added that stronger regulatory oversight could help stabilise prices and protect ordinary consumers during the festive season.