Farmers Struggle as Onion Prices Collapse Nationwide

Onion farmers across Bangladesh are facing severe financial losses as market prices plunge below production costs. The crisis is driven by three major factors: excessive production, lack of adequate storage, and urgent cash requirements. The situation is particularly acute at the end of the bulb onion harvest season, when prices often fall sharply.

In Durgapur Upazila, , farmer Al-Amin cultivated 10 katha of bulb onions, producing approximately 35 maunds. His production cost averaged 1,300 taka per maund, yet he is forced to sell at 350–400 taka per maund, equivalent to around 10 taka per kilogram. “We cannot store these onions due to lack of facilities,” he explained. “Even at a loss, selling is the only option.”

The scenario is similar in Sujanagar, . Farmer Abu Bakr reports that cultivating one bigha of onions cost him roughly 80,000 taka. With production costs ranging between 1,400 and 1,500 taka per maund, wholesale prices only yield 600–1,000 taka per maund. At retail, onions are sold for 15–20 taka per kilogram. Farmers blame inadequate storage facilities for forcing them to sell at a loss.

Agricultural experts warn that this pattern is widespread across the country. Many farmers rely on credit for fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides, and the pressure to repay loans forces them to sell immediately, despite financial losses.

Sahana Parveen Laboni, Agricultural Officer of Durgapur, told Kaler Kantho that even where storage facilities exist, farmers cannot retain their produce due to urgent cash needs. Bulb onions typically enter the market from late December to March. Prices are relatively high early in the season but often drop below production costs by March. For instance, in Dhaka’s retail market, the price per kilogram fell from 60–70 taka at the start of 2025 to 45–50 taka in some areas, whereas early December prices were 130–150 taka per kilogram.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, in the 2024–25 fiscal year, onions were cultivated on roughly 300,000 hectares, yielding 4.4487 million tonnes. In 2025–26, over 300,000 hectares were planted, with around 25% harvested, producing approximately 1.1 million tonnes.

In Pabna district, 8,000 hectares were planted with bulb onions, targeting 142,315 tonnes but achieving 150,000 tonnes. Production costs average 30 taka per kilogram, yet farmers are compelled to sell at 20 taka. Heavy rainfall has damaged crops, limiting storage potential. Many farmers harvest onions prematurely, further restricting storage options and forcing them to sell quickly.

Experts, including Dr. Moha. Masudul Haque Jhontu, suggest that expanding storage facilities and improving market management could significantly reduce losses. If onions could be stored for at least 40 days, farmers could secure better prices. However, recent hailstorms have damaged crops in some areas, making storage impossible. Experts call for modern storage systems and stricter price management to ensure fair returns.