TCB starts open sale of onion at Tk 30

The Trading Corporation Bangladesh (TCB) has begun selling onions at a subsidized rate of Tk 30 per kg throughout the country in an attempt to keep the critical stable, highly competitive market.

Sunday morning the state-run agency started selling onion.

In addition to the onion, the state-run  Trading Corporation Bangladesh (TCB) will host some other important products, including sugar, lentil pulses and soybean oil, at various points in the capital and elsewhere in the country until October 31.

Onion prices soared to an all-time high in September-November 2019 (Tk 280-300 a kg) in the midst of an export ban by India, one of Bangladesh's main onion sourcing countries.

A buyer can purchase no more than two kilograms of onion, sugar and lentil. Sugar and lentil are sold at Tk 50 and Tk 50 per kg respectively while a purchaser can take up to 5 liters of soybean oil at Tk 80 per litre, a release said.

Bahantech Bazar, Madhya Badda, Palashi/ Chapra Mosque, Jigatala/ Dhanmondi Government Colony, Rampura Bazar, in front of Mothertech/ Nandipara/ Krishi Bank, Adabar or Banglas Field Azimpur Battala, Ashkona Haji Camp, Basabo Bazar, Azampur, DC Office, Satarkul, Bangladesh Bank, Mirpur-2/12, Matuail/ Siddhirganj, ECB/ Kalsi, Gabtali/ Technical, Kaptanbazar, Soarighat/ Nawabganj Section, Banasita Bazar, Karwan Bazar, Dilkusha, Meradia Bazar, Nippon Battala, Khilgaon Taltola, Mugda, New Market, Tongi Bazar, Shanir Akhra, Bochila, Kamrangir Char Lohar Pool, Sarulia Bazar, Tongi Bazar, 80 ft Bhanga Mosque, Gopibati Khokon, Bhatara Bazar, Savar Bazar, Ananda Cinema Hall, Moghbazar Fortune Market, Hatirpool Bazar, Malibagh Bazar, Uttar Badda and Khilkhet Bazar.

The TCB will also sell the necessary products in Chattogram through 10 trucks while seven trucks will sell in Rangpur, five in Mymensingh, five in Rajshahi, seven in Khulna, five in Barishal, five in Sylhet, five in Bogura, five in Cumilla, three in Jhenaidah and three in Madaripur and two trucks in the remaining 52 districts.

Minister of Commerce Tipu Munshi said on Thursday that they were planning to import the maximum amount of onion this year in order to keep the market stable.

“All the government departments are alert to avert any recurrence of last year’s chaos and TCB will start selling onion in the open market from next Sunday,” he said.