Onion prices fall after allowing imports

Onion prices have started to ease across several districts since Sunday after news broke that Bangladesh had allowed limited imports from India.
The move has brought swift relief to consumers after weeks of volatility caused by supply shortages and a prolonged import suspension.
Traders say the market reacted immediately as information spread through major wholesale hubs, with prices dropping sharply within a single day.
Combined with rising supplies of newly harvested local onions, the prospect of fresh imports has softened expectations and curbed speculative buying.
Our Chattogram correspondent reports that wholesale markets in Khatunganj and Chaktai saw notable price declines on Sunday and Monday.
The government allowed limited imports in a bid to stabilise the domestic onion market.
As the news spread across the country's largest wholesale hubs, prices fell by Tk 25-30 per kg in a single day, depending on quality.
On Sunday, onions sold at Tk 70-90 per kg at wholesale markets, down from Tk 110-125 the previous day. Prices declined further to Tk 60-70 per kg on Monday.
Traders said supplies of newly harvested onions are increasing, while retailers are buying smaller quantities in anticipation of further price reductions. On Sunday, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) under the Ministry of Agriculture issued import permits (IPs) to allow 1,500 metric tonnes of onions to be brought in from India.
Fifty importers received permits, each capped at a maximum of 30 tonnes. No second permit will be issued, and all IPs will remain valid until March 31, 2026. From Bogura, reports indicate a sharp fall in onion prices following news that fresh letters of credit (LCs) had been opened for imports from India.
Market sources said prices dropped by Tk 30-50 per kg within a single day, easing pressure on consumers after two days of severe volatility.
At Bogura's wholesale Rajabazar, onions sold at Tk 100-120 per kg on Monday, compared with Tk 150 a day earlier. Newly harvested onions were retailing at Tk 80-85 per kg, while wholesalers were charging Tk 65 per kg.
A UNB report from Chapainawabganj said imports resumed through the Sonamasjid Land Port after a three-month suspension. So far, 90 tonnes of onions have entered the country under the limited import approvals.
Mainul Islam, manager of Panama Sonamasjid Port Link Limited, said two trucks carrying 60 tonnes arrived on Sunday evening, followed by another truck with 30 tonnes on Monday morning. More consignments are expected throughout the day.
The resumption of imports has already begun to ease prices in local markets, traders said.
In Dinajpur, around 150 tonnes of onions have been imported from India through the Hili Land Port. Md Sakhawat Hossain Shilpi, president of the Hili Land Port Importers and Exporters Association, confirmed the arrivals as of Monday afternoon.

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