Onion Crisis Deepens as Farmers Sell at Loss

Across Bangladesh, onion farmers are being forced to sell their produce at a loss due to a combination of overproduction, inadequate storage facilities, and urgent cash needs. The problem is most acute during the late harvest season of bulb onions, when market prices often fall below production costs, leaving farmers in financial distress.

In Durgapur Upazila, , farmer Al-Amin cultivated 10 katha of bulb onions, yielding approximately 35 maunds. His production cost averaged 1,300 taka per maund, yet he is compelled to sell at 350–400 taka per maund. This translates to nearly 10 taka per kilogram—far below the cost of cultivation. “We cannot store these onions,” Al-Amin explains, “so we must sell, even at a loss.”

Similar conditions prevail in Sujanagar, . Farmer Abu Bakr reports spending around 80,000 taka per bigha on cultivation. Production costs ranged from 1,400–1,500 taka per maund, yet wholesale prices offer only 600–1,000 taka per maund, and retail rates hover at 15–20 taka per kilogram. Many farmers attribute these losses to insufficient storage facilities.

Agricultural experts confirm that such losses are widespread across the country. Financial strain has prompted some farmers to consider reducing onion cultivation in the next season. Many farmers purchase fertilisers, seeds, and pesticides on credit, and the pressure to repay debts forces them to sell immediately, even at a loss.

Sahana Parveen Laboni, Agricultural Officer of Durgapur, told Kaler Kantho that while storage options exist, cash needs prevent farmers from holding onto their produce. Bulb onions reach the market from late December to March. Prices start high at the season’s onset but often drop below production costs by March. In Dhaka’s retail market, the price per kilogram fell from 60–70 taka at the start of the year to 45–50 taka in some areas; in early December, prices were 130–150 taka per kilogram.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, in 2024–25, roughly 300,000 hectares were cultivated for onions, yielding 4.4487 million tonnes. In 2025–26, more than 300,000 hectares were planted, with about 25% harvested so far, producing approximately 1.1 million tonnes.

In Pabna, 8,000 hectares were planted with bulb onions, targeting 142,315 tonnes, but production reached 150,000 tonnes. Production costs average 30 taka per kilogram, yet farmers must sell at 20 taka. Rain has damaged onions, reducing storage viability, and farmers often harvest prematurely, further limiting storage time.

Experts, including Dr. Moha. Masudul Haque Jhontu, argue that improved storage facilities could mitigate losses. If farmers could store onions for at least 40 days, they could benefit from higher prices. However, recent hailstorms have destroyed crops in some regions, making storage impossible. They urge investment in modern storage systems and better market management to ensure fair returns for farmers.