Falling onion prices leave Pabna farmers facing losses

Despite a strong harvest, marginal onion farmers in Pabna are struggling with falling prices and rising production costs, prompting calls for government intervention to fix prices.

Farmers said early-season onions sold at higher-than-expected prices, but the market dropped sharply as supply increased. Within two weeks, prices for cut onions fell by nearly half, leaving many growers at risk of losses.

Large quantities of cut onions have been produced this year in Sujanagar, Santhia, Bera, and Pabna Sadar upazilas. Favorable weather and suitable farmland have raised hopes of a record onion harvest nationwide. After meeting local demand, onions from Pabna are supplied to 28 to 30 districts, including Dhaka, making the crop a major contributor to the district’s economy.

However, the sudden price decline has created uncertainty among farmers.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Pabna, the target for cut onion cultivation this year was 8,960 hectares. The expected yield was set at 15.88 metric tons per hectare. The official production cost is estimated at Tk 1,400 per maund, or about Tk 35 per kilogram.

Farmers say actual costs are higher due to fertilizer shortages and increased prices. Market visits over the past week in Sujanagar, Bera, Santhia, and Kashinathpur show cut onions selling for Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,500 per maund—close to, or below, production costs.

Aftab Prang, a farmer from Chalna village in Sujanagar, said he cultivated onions on two bighas of land but could not obtain fertilizer from BCIC dealers. “I was forced to buy DAP fertilizer at Tk 2,200 per bag, which raised my costs. At current prices, I am facing losses,” he said.

Another farmer from Dhopadah Union in Santhia echoed similar concerns, saying farmers had to buy fertilizer at extra cost due to shortages. “If prices do not increase, many of us will not recover our expenses,” he said.

Jahangir Alam Pramanik, deputy director of the DAE in Pabna, said the expected harvest has increased supply, leading to lower prices. He added that the department would look into complaints about fertilizer shortages.

Farmers are urging the government to take steps to stabilize onion prices and ensure fair returns.