Onion price to be normal soon

The Ministry of Commerce said that there is no deficit of onion in any market of the country while the consumers does not need to be worried over the onion price as it will come to a normalcy soon.

“Assessing the overall situation, there is nothing to be worried about the onion price as sufficient amount of onions are available in the market. The price of onions will be normal soon,” said a press release of the Ministry of Commerce .

It said that due to the various steps taken by the Ministry to keep the supply and price of onion stable, the kitchen markets have already started to experience positive impact.

The Bangladesh Bank has taken steps to reduce the LC margin and interest rates for importing onion. Besides, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the port authorities concerned have taken steps for unloading the imported onion at the sea and land ports on urgent basis.

All necessary steps have been undertaken to make the import of onion flawless at the Bhomra, Sona Masjid, Hilli and Benapole land ports while the Ministry has tasked 10 of its high officials for monitoring the overall situation and they have started monitoring the markets of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Faridpur, Rajbari, Jashore, Dinajpur, Pabna, Satkhira, Sirajganj and Shariutpur districts from .

Besides, effective measures have been taken from each district administration as unloading of imported onions from Myanmar, Egypt and Turkey has started at the ports. The imported onion from Myanmar through Teknaf Port as well as other sold onion from the wholesale markets across the country is spreading throughout the country without any interference. “The supply of onion is now at a normal state,” the release added.

The number of trucks for selling onion, by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) at taka 45 per kg, has been raised to 35 from 16 today to keep the price of onion stable.

The Commerce Ministry press release said that the country needs to import 8 to 10 lakh metric tons of onion every year and according to the official estimation there is now no crisis of onion in the country.

It said that imported onion from Egypt and Turkey has started arriving in the country while imported onion from India alongside the locally produced onion would hit the market soon.

Apart from this, the Ministry of Commerce has held a number of meetings with the importers and businessmen and requested them to do their business with integrity.

Besides, the government has also announced that necessary action would be taken as per the law if anyone tries to store onion, manipulate its price and tries to deter the usual supply.