The prices of onions declined by Tk 30-40 per kilogram on Monday after the import resumed, although they remained high at Tk 120 per kg.
After visiting some wholesale and retail markets, it was observed that wholesale prices were around Tk 100-107 per kg, while newly harvested onions were selling at Tk 80-110 per kg, depending on the variant.
Earlier this week, onion prices soared to Tk 150-160 per kg from Tk 110-120, suddenly, which traders claimed was due to a supply shortage at the production level.
Following the price hike, the agricultural ministry on Saturday allowed the import of onions on a limited scale to stabilise markets, effective Sunday, through automatic, system-based verification and selection.
In this regard, the ministry issued import permits to 50 companies to import 1,500 tonnes of onions from India, with a maximum of 30 tonnes per company, and each company could import onions only once through the IP.
The newly issued IPs would remain valid until March 31, 2026.
According to DAE officials, around 3,500 IP applications have been submitted since the onion price hike in August.
Earlier, in the first week of November, onion prices rose to Tk 110-120 from Tk 70-80.
On November 9, Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin said the government would allow the import of onions if high prices persisted for the next 4 to 5 days.
The prices of onions have risen several times since August, primarily due to supply shortages and the absence of imports.
Domestic production has met demand for spice items so far.
Ashraful Hossain, a wholesale trader from Karwan Bazar, said the prices had fallen slightly after resuming imports from India.
‘However, the imported onions are still on the way to the capital or at the ports, and hopefully reach the markets within 2-3 days, which could further decline the prices,’ he added.
He also said that usually in late November or early December, ‘murikata’ variant enters the market. But this year, the prolonged rainfall until the Kartik month of the Bangla calendar spoiled farmers’ sown onions, leading to a delay in harvesting.
Meanwhile, a total of 150 tonnes of onions have been imported from India through the Dinajpur Hili Land Port, and continued imports would stabilise the domestic onion market, the importers said.
Md. Sakhawat Hossain Shilpi, president of the Hili Land Port Import-Exporters Association, confirmed to the state news agency that as of 2.30 pm on Monday, four trucks carrying onions had entered Bangladesh through the port.
Each truck transported 30 tonnes, totaling 120 tonnes for the day. In comparison, a separate truck from another importer brought another 30 tonnes on Sunday evening, bringing the two-day total to 150 metric tons.
Moreover, 60 tonnes of onions from two importers entered Bangladesh through the Sonamasjid Land Port of Chapainawabganj on Sunday.
The import cost ranged between Tk 25 and Tk 45 per kg, according to the importers.
According to the Chattogram Correspondent of New Age, onions were sold at Tk 110-125 per kg at Khatunganj, the country›s one of the largest wholesale markets, on Monday.
Asked about the price, Khatunganj wholesaler Md Faruk said onion prices in the market had fallen by Tk 30–40 from levels in the past few months, following news of onion imports from India.
However, as the imported onions have not yet reached the market, prices have edged up today and are now selling for Tk 105–115 per kg, depending on quality.
‘We have heard that two or three truckloads of Indian onions have entered through the border. Once those and some additional consignments come onto the market, prices will fall further,’ he added.
Importers said that until 2024, Bangladesh had to import 700,000 to 800,000 metric tonnes of onions from India each year.
But whenever India suddenly halted exports on its own, Bangladesh was thrown into repeated crises. The onion market became unstable and consumers suffered.
This year, imports were reduced to almost zero, laying the groundwork for Bangladesh to move towards self-sufficiency.
Sector insiders said onion yields were good last season and, with no imports in the market, farmers also received better prices.
According to data from the Department of Agricultural Extension, onion production in the 2024–25 fiscal year stood at 4.4 million metric tonnes, around 500,000 tonnes higher than the previous year.
However, due to storage problems, a large volume spoiled, and only about 3.3 million tonnes reached the market.
Khatunganj wholesaler Md Idris said that they got just over 3.3 million tonnes of onions in the market. Even though the harvest was good, there was still a shortage of about 500,000 to 600,000 tonnes.
‘As imports were stopped, that shortage was not covered. We have heard that the harvest is excellent this season as well. So maybe we will not face much of an onion shortage in the coming days. It is a good sign that imports are decreasing,’ he added.
