Onion prices soar as imports halt through Hili land port

Staff Reporter :
Over the past four days, onion imports have been halted through the Hili Land Port in the northern part of the country, causing the price of onions to increase by Tk 8-10 per kg, depending on the variety.
Locals on Sunday said that Indian variety Nasik onions, which were sold for Tk 24-26 taka per kilogram three days ago, are now being sold for 32 taka. Another variety Indor onion, which was sold for Tk 22-24 per kg, are now being sold for Tk 28-31. And local onions are being sold for Tk 35 per kilogram.
According to onion seller Shakil Ahmed in the Hili market, onion imports from India have been halted for a few days, causing a decrease in the supply of Indian onions in the wholesale market.
As a result, onion prices have increased in the market. Over the past three days, the price of onions has increased by Tk 10-12 per kilogram. The price of local onions has also increased by Tk 10 per kilogram.
Onion trader Abdul Alim told this correspondent that more onions are needed during the month of Ramzan. Due to the halt in imports, the prices of onions have increased.
He said that the government has stopped importing Indian onions keeping in mind the cultivation of local onions.
Auto-rickshaw driver Akbar Ali said, “We have so many problems. Those who have money at home have no problems. Whether onion prices increase or decrease, it doesn’t matter to them. My income has dropped”.
A customer named Makbul Hossen said that he bought five kg of onions for Tk 130 taka last week, but today he had to pay Tk 180 for the same amount of onions.
The onion importer, Mahabub Alam, said that many traders have opened LC (Letter of Credit) for importing onions. If they are allowed to import the same amount of onions they have opened LC for, then the price of onions would remain stable during the month of Ramzan.
With the month of Ramzan just a week away, the demand for onions is expected to increase, exacerbating the situation.
During this time, people prepare various traditional dishes, including many that require onions, for the breaking of fasting. As a result, the demand for onions is likely to increase and if the scarcity of onions persists, it may lead to further price hikes.
Already the situation in the market is grim, with the prices of daily essentials on the rise. Consumers are struggling to make ends meet and the onion price hike is adding to their woes.
The local traders blame the government’s decision to stop the import of Indian onions for the current situation. According to them, the demand for onions is high, and with the limited supply, the prices have naturally gone up.
The government, on the other hand, has taken steps to address the issue. The Ministry of Commerce has stated that it is taking measures to increase the supply of onions in the market. They have also urged local traders not to hoard onions and to keep the prices reasonable.