Don’t ban onion import until May

FE REPORT
Sonamasjid-based traders have urged the government not to impose ban on onion import until May this year for the interests of local consumers and farmers as well, sources said.
The traders fear that price of onion will rise manifold in the local markets if ban is imposed on import of the widely-consumed cooking essential right now.
They have requested the government to control import of such essential product instead of imposing a ban on it.
Sonamasjid Land Port Export-Import Association has recently written to the government requesting to take necessary measures in this regard.
They said early-season onions, also known as spring onions, are harvested in April, May and June.
It is possible to preserve these onions and make them available in the market all the year round.
They believe that the government would take right decision regarding the issue considering the interests of the consumers as well as the farmers.
Currently, harvesting of the murikata variety of onion is going on across the country, which will continue for next two months.
They mentioned that Indian did not stop onion export; they are controlling its export by imposing duty.
Recently, the agriculture ministry has written to the commerce ministry, suggesting imposing reasonable duty on import of onion.
The commerce ministry is currently working on the issue.
It is likely to ask the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission for providing opinions and suggestions.
The move has been taken to  control onion import so that farmers of the country can get fair prices of their produce during this harvesting season, according to a high official at the commerce ministry.
According to the commerce ministry, the national demand for onion is around 2.6-2.7 million tonnes a year, with 75-80 per cent of the demand met by local production and the rest covered through imports, predominantly from India.
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