The government authorised onion imports from India last week to curb rising prices. However, costs have remained high despite daily arrivals at various land ports over the past six days.

Both local and imported onions are selling at high prices. Imported Indian onions are reaching retail shelves at BDT 120–130 per kilogram, while new local onions are priced at BDT 120 and older stock at BDT 150. Local “Murikata” onions have also appeared, trading above BDT 100. Consumers had expected prices to fall once imports began, but there has been no relief.

Plant Quarantine Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension issues import permits. According to officials, Indian onions cost around BDT 40 per kilogram in local currency, with an additional 15 percent tariff applied by the Bangladeshi government.

In wholesale markets, old stocks of local onions sell for BDT 130–135, new local varieties for BDT 90–100, and imported Indian onions for BDT 100–110. Market surveys in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar and Rampura confirmed these figures.

Shoppers report that prices have jumped from under BDT 100 just two weeks ago to BDT 150 now. Despite government approvals, imported onions are still scarce in many markets. Some shops even sell both new and old stocks of local onions at the same price.

Rabiul Alam, a government employee buying onions at Karwan Bazar, said, “Even in peak season, winter vegetables cost BDT 50–60 per kilogram. Onions are BDT 150. Yet the government says imports are happening. Prices haven’t budged. Five kilograms now cost BDT 700. This is beyond the reach of many. Authorities need to enforce price controls and monitor the market.”

Wholesale trader Md Sajib noted, “We buy imported onions at BDT 95 to 98 per kilogram. When we sell them at BDT 100 to 110 to retailers, they add another BDT 10 to 20 profit. Prices have risen despite imports. Retailers’ markups hit consumers directly. But we expect prices to fall by the end of the week if imports continue smoothly.”

Retailer Omar Faruk said small vendors hesitate to handle imported onions due to risk. “The onion market is controlled by large traders. Small sellers bring in a few bags for retail. Imported onions haven’t reached this level yet. This could be a reason behind high prices. Another factor is that many buyers prefer local onions. And since imported stock spoils quickly, traders avoid it. Losses are inevitable if you bring onions but can’t sell. That’s why many are avoiding those.”

Meanwhile, Boni Amin Khan, additional deputy director (Imports) at the Plant Quarantine Wing, told Bonik Barta, “We issued permits for 7,500 tonnes by Thursday. Around 3,000 tonnes have arrived. From Sunday, 200 permits per day have been approved, allowing up to 6,000 tonnes daily.”

He added, “Most imported onions come from Maharashtra. Transit to the Bangladesh border takes 3 to 4 days, plus another day to reach markets. So not all permitted onions appear in the market immediately.”

The government permitted limited imports beginning December 7. Initially, 50 permits per day for 30 tonnes each were given, allowing up to 1,500 tonnes daily.

Traders report that local supply is still available in the country. Additionally, new-season onions are entering markets in Pabna, Meherpur, and Faridpur at lower prices. But older stocks of local and imported onions command higher rates, which pushes new “Murikata” onions to similar levels. Imported Indian onions, which are visually of higher quality, often sell at higher prices despite lower import costs.

Md Omor Faruk, owner of M/s Ira Traders in Chattogram’s Khatunganj wholesale market, said, “Local stock has dwindled, raising prices. Even with imports, supply does not match demand, so prices remain high.”

Retailers in Riazuddin Market, Chattogram, added that onions of multiple grades are now available. Lower-quality imports sell cheaper, while high-quality local onions are priced close to imported levels. Delays in distribution from sources to suppliers are preventing expected price drops, they claimed.

Traders added that local onion harvesting has started since the first week of December. Onions harvested during this period are sold at a comparatively lower price. Now, due to high prices, farmers are harvesting more “Murikata” onions than expected. Harvested amount is increasing every day. Despite the end of the season approaching, leftover local and imported onions should stabilise markets. Traders blame unregulated profit-taking by importers for keeping prices high. They called on authorities to review import documents and tighten market monitoring.