What's Happening?
Bangladesh faces recurring onion price swings due to the absence of commercial-scale food irradiation facilities. This infrastructure gap leads to significant post-harvest losses, with 25-30% of onions spoiling annually. The Ministry of Agriculture has
planned an irradiation center to preserve perishable crops, but delays have hindered its implementation. The lack of preservation facilities forces farmers to sell onions immediately after harvest, causing price crashes and subsequent shortages.
Why It's Important?
The absence of food irradiation facilities in Bangladesh highlights a critical weakness in the country's agricultural infrastructure, affecting both domestic and export markets. This situation results in income losses for farmers and higher prices for consumers, particularly impacting low-income households. The delay in establishing irradiation facilities also affects Bangladesh's ability to meet international food safety standards, putting it at a disadvantage compared to neighboring countries.
