Learn to trade agricultural commodities.

Bangladesh consumes approximately 2.5 million metric tons of onion per year. Domestic production covers 60–70% of demand; the rest is imported, primarily from India. The import dependency creates structural price volatility — especially during India's export ban periods.

Key trading hubs: Bogra (North Bengal production centre), Shyambazar (Dhaka wholesale), Khatunganj (Chittagong import hub). Understanding which hub sets price at any given time is the first skill you need.

Onion quality is graded by: size (30mm, 40mm, 50mm+), skin condition (tight vs. loose), moisture content (below 85% is ideal for storage), and colour consistency. Grade A (50mm+, tight skin, uniform colour) commands a 15–25% premium over Grade B at wholesale.

At farmgate in Bogra, you will typically see mixed-grade lots. Sorting cost is ৳3–5/kg. Always factor this in your landed cost calculation before agreeing a farmgate price.

The deal math formula for onion trading:

On a 5MT trade: gross profit = ৳55,000. After team time (3 days), fuel, and miscellaneous: net margin ≈ ৳40,000–45,000. This is a real trade calculation, not a textbook example.

Use this script when buying at a Bogra farmgate. The goal is to establish trust quickly, confirm quality, and negotiate on the basis of documented price data — not guesswork.

Key principle: always show documentation, always check quality first, always anchor to market data. Never negotiate on feelings.

Three signals that tell you the onion market is about to move up:

1. India export restriction news. Monitor Indian agricultural ministry announcements. When India restricts onion exports, Bangladesh prices move within 48–72 hours.
2. Cold storage depletion in Bogra. When cold storage utilisation drops below 30% of the previous season's stock, farmgate prices have historically risen 15–30% within 3–4 weeks.
3. Ramadan proximity. Demand spikes 40–60% in the 3–4 weeks before Ramadan. Traders who position 6 weeks before typically capture the best margins.

You've completed the Onion Trading Masterclass. The key takeaways:

• Bogra is the farmgate pricing centre. Shyambazar sets Dhaka wholesale. Khatunganj sets the import price floor.
• Always grade before negotiating. Sorting cost is ৳3–5/kg and must be in your deal math.
• Deal math: farmgate + sorting + transport + handling = your true cost. Know this before you leave Dhaka.
• Negotiate with documentation, not instinct. Show previous trades. Anchor to market data.
• Watch for three signals: India export news, cold storage depletion, Ramadan proximity.