It is peak harvest season, but the price of onion has soared by Tk 10 per kilogram at the capital’s kitchen markets over the last three days.

The prices of onion have shot up despite adequate supply, according to a Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) report -- laying bare the extent of market manipulation by a section of dishonest traders.

Prices of onion increased by Tk 100 or more per kg overnight as traders began stockpiling following the news that India had extended a virtual restriction on its export.

Retailers were selling the homegrown variety of onion at Tk 200 a kg at Karwan Bazar today, compared with Tk 130 on Thursday

While R I Manik has recently gained recognition for selling onions at a significantly reduced price, approximately one-third of the market rate, at Tk 50 per kilogramme, his philanthropic journey spans nearly the last half a decade.

Onion prices at wholesale and retail markets in Bangladesh rose yesterday after India set a minimum price of $800 per tonne on exports of the bulb.