Over 1.67 lakh MT onion imported in three months

Since August this year, the country has imported more than 1,67,806 tons of onions at a cost of Taka 660 crore.

"A total of one lakh 67 thousand 806.47 tons of onions were imported from August to November 18 through various land ports," Dr. Shahidul Islam, Director-General (DG) of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) told reporters today at his Kakrail office.

The official said that during this time, some 341 importers imported the huge bulk onions through various land ports including Banglabandha, Benapole, Bhomra, Hili, Sona Masjid, Teknaf, Chattagram and Dhaka Customs House. He said it was necessary to import this cooking that Taka 660 crore was spent.
Of the total imports, 51,649 tons passed through the land port of Sona Masjid, 46,370 tons from Bhomra, 34,861 tons from Teknaf, 24,308 tons from Hili, 6,693 tons from Chattagram, 171 tons from Bangla Bandha and 27 tons from Dhaka Customs House.

Meanwhile, 37 onion importers have been summoned by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department to investigate the cause of the unusual price hike in the onion.

The investigation was started by an intelligence investigation team headed by an assistant director general of the CIID.

To order to identify those responsible for creating a volatile situation on the onion market, the department has already gathered necessary information about 332 importers.

On November 25, 10 importers of onions were questioned by the CIID.

In the local kitchen market, onion prices have been on the rise since India's export ban decision on September 29. Local onions are still being sold in the kitchen markets of the city for as high as Tk250 a kg, while onions are being imported for Tk230-240 from Myanmar, breaking all previous records.