The Indian government has decided to give an exemption for Bangladesh, as well as five other countries, from its ban export of onions, up to a certain amount.  This permission has been given on the recommendation of the Ministry of External Affairs of the country. Read more: Onion, sugar likely to be imported from India before Ramadan: State Minister Along with Bangladesh, India has also allowed the export of onions to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bahrain, and Mauritius. However, New Delhi has not yet taken any decision on the complete withdrawal of the ban imposed on onion exports. On Monday (February 19), the Indian newspaper Economic Times reported that India officially allowed the export of onions to Bangladesh and some other countries. An Indian official related to this issue said that the export of onions in limited quantities to these countries has been allowed for bilateral purposes. However, the official could not tell the exact amount of onion that has been allowed to be exported. Read more: Onion price steeper by Tk50 per kg in 3 weeks

The price of Murikata, an early variety of onion, jumped by Tk 20 per kg to Tk 105 per kg on Tuesday (January 30, 2024), compared to Tk 80 to 85 per kg two days ago in Dhaka. Though the wholesaler said that onion prices have dropped slightly in the wholesale market, the effect is yet to be visible in the retail market. On Tuesday, onion prices in the capital ranged from Tk100 to Tk105 depending on quality at Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali, Hatirpool, Malibagh, and Santinagar. Khalilo Mia, owner of Hasan store at Shantinagar Bazar, told UNB that good-quality onions have arrived in the market at a higher rate. As the quality of this onion is slightly better, the price has also increased. However, there is no shortage of onion supply, he said. The price of Murikata onions has also increased in the market price report released by the state marketing agency, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). According to its report, new local Murikata onions were sold for Tk 90 to Tk 100 per kg in different markets in Dhaka. A week ago, the price of this variety of onion was selling at Tk75 to 80 per kg; the imported onion price was Tk85 to Tk90 per kg. However, local and imported onion prices rose by 23 and 26 percent, respectively, during the week, according to TCB. Read more: Sylhet fixes price of local variety onion at Tk 120, Indian variety at Tk 140 Onion prices have also increased in Sujanagar and Santhia upazilas of Pabna, one of the main production areas of Murikata onion. On Monday, in these upazilas, the price of onions was Tk71 to Tk78 per kg in the local wholesale markets. Onion prices have increased in the district compared to last week. Last week, the price of fresh onion there was Tk 60 to Tk 70 per kg. The prices of other curry items like garlic and ginger have also increased by Tk10 per kg. On Tuesday, these items were selling for between Tk240 and Tk270 per kg, respectively, compared to Tk230 and Tk260 per kg last week. The prices of all other vegetables have increased by Tk10 to 20 per kg this week compared to the last week. However, bean, eggplant, and tomato were selling between Tk 60 to 100 based on quality, potato at Tk 50 to 60 per kg, bitter gourd at Tk 80 kg, balsam apple at Tk 100 to 120 kg, okra at Tk 80 to 100 per kg, cucurbitaceous at Tk 80 per kg, cucumber at Tk 60 to 70 kg, spone gourd at Tk 80 per kg, arum at 80 to 90 kg, radish and carrot at Tk 50 to 60 kg, green papaya at Tk 40 kg, French bean at Tk 100 to 110 kg, snake gourd at Tk 70 to 75 kg, pumpkin (medium size) at Tk 80 to 100 per piece, cauliflower and broccoli at Tk 50 to 70 piece, bottle gourd at Tk 80 to 100 piece, ash gourd at Tk 50 to 60 piece, coriander leaves at Tk 200 kg—Capsicum (red) at Tk 300 to Tk370 per kg base on size and quality. Read more: Govt directs to intensify field-level monitoring on onion prices The discomfort remains in the fish and meat market. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk200–220 per kg, and Sonaly chicken (a Pakistani variety) at Tk320–340 per kg. Beef, which was sold at Tk 650 in many places a couple of weeks ago, is now being sold at Tk 700 per kg everywhere. Prices of eggs are increasing by Tk 5 to 7 in a dozen this week. Per dozen, brown eggs (hens) are at Tk 140 to 145, 5–10 taka less than white eggs. Duck eggs were selling for Tk 180 to 190 per dozen, while eggs of indigenous domestic rearing chicken were selling for Tk 210 per dozen. The prices of fish are higher now compared to a few months ago. However, tilapia, pangas, and carp were selling for between Tk220 and 260 per kg. Among other fish, the price of medium-sized weighing 1.5 kg to 2 kg farming Rui, Katla, and Mrigel fish was selling at Tk 300 to Tk 400 per kg. Also, Pabda, Tengra, Koi, sheat (boal), chital, and Hilsa fish are not below Tk600 per kg. The bigger fish, like coral, boal, and river pangas, were selling for between Tk700 and 1100 per kg at Karwan Bazar. When asked about the price hike, the Director General of the Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection (DNCRP), AHM Shafiquzzama, told UNB that his office would drive against the unusual price hike of these essentials. He also said that a few months ago, he warned different ministries and directorates to take steps to increase the supply of essentials, including onions and potatoes, to control prices. Consumers Association of Bangladesh vice president SM Nazer Hossain said consumers in Bangladesh are having a hard time amid record prices of commodities due to higher inflation. Farm eggs, broiler chicken, and cultured fish are key protein sources for millions of poor people in the country, he said. Prices of all such products have increased, forcing a vast population to cut their protein and other nutrition-rich food intake, Nazer said. Read more: Chapainawabganj farmers reap benefits of bountiful summer onion harvest

Onion prices have gone up in Khulna market just after the India's imposition of 40 percent duty on its export which came into effect from Sunday (August 20). The prices of onion have increased by Tk 10-15 per kg in the local market just in a day. On Sunday, Indian onions were being sold at Tk 65-70 per kg, while local onions at Tk 90 per kg. But on Saturday, per kg of Indian and local variety onions were sold at Tk 55-60 and Tk 75 per kg respectively. Read: India imposes 40% duty on onion exports effective today Sujan and Kawsar, traders of Mylapota Sandhya Bazar in the town, said that there is no shortage of onion in the market. However, they are paying Tk 10-15 more for buying per kg of onion. As a result, onions have to be sold at a higher price, they added. On August 19, the Revenue Department of the Indian Finance Ministry imposed a 40 percent duty on onion export to check price hike. Read: Indian onions start arriving through land ports as import resumes Importers said earlier they paid no tax for importing onions from India. Due to the 40 percent duty, an extra Tk 15-19 per kg will have to be counted. An Indian gazette notification signed by Amreeta Titus, deputy secretary of the Revenue Department under the Finance Ministry, said the duty will remain effective till December 31 this year. Indian exporters said onion prices are soaring in the country and the government has imposed the duty to discourage exports. Read: Proper preservation of onions to end instability, crisis: Agriculture Minister  Buyers said that the prices of onion have increased compared to the last few days. Onions may be stockpiled by unscrupulous traders on the pretext of import duty that may cause further rise in prices, they feared. Ibrahim Hossain, deputy director of the Khulna divisional office of the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection,  said that they are monitoring the market.

The Revenue Department of the Indian Finance Ministry has imposed a 40 percent duty on onion exports to Bangladesh effective today (August 20, 2023), causing a hike in the price of the item mainly used as spice in local markets. An Indian gazette notification signed by Amreeta Titus, deputy secretary of the Revenue Department under the Finance Ministry, said the duty will remain effective till December 31 this year. India imposed the duty for the first time. Importers of Hili Land Port said earlier they paid no tax for importing onions from India. Due to the 40 percent duty, an extra Tk 10 per kg will have to be counted. Read: Indian onions start reaching Satkhira, leading to prices easing down On the other hand, each kg of onion is being sold at Tk 50 since this morning. Per kg of onion was being sold at Tk 39-47 just a day back. They said Sunday is a weekly holiday in India and import of onion won’t be possible until the newly imposed duty is not paid, urging the Bangladesh government to look for alternative markets to import the item from. Read: Indian onions start arriving through land ports as import resumes Indian exporters said onion prices are soaring in the country and the government has imposed the duty to discourage exports. They suspected that the prices may be hiked next month as substantial amounts of onions rotted due to excessive heat. Read more: Govt to allow onion import from Monday: Agriculture Ministry

 

The government has withdrawn 5 percent duty on onion import in an effort to cool down the overheated local market following its export ban by India.

Expressing deep concern over the unusual price hike of onions following a sudden export ban by India, BNP policymakers have demanded the government take necessary steps to keep the prices of all essentials within the buying capacity of common people.

Amid the skyrocketing onion prices in the local market, consignments of Indian variety of the essential kitchen item have finally started entering Bangladesh through different land ports on Saturday.

As onion prices have soared again in the country due to its export ban by neighbouring India, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal says his ministry will consider the withdrawal of duty on its import to keep the local market stable.   "We'll definitely consider the matter [duty withdrawal] as we did in the past," Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told reporters on Wednesday, responding to a question on withdrawal of duty on onion import.   The Finance Minister was speaking at a virtual briefing session on the outcomes of two consecutive meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase.   He made the remarks when reporters drew his attention to Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi's call to the Finance Ministry to withdraw the existing duty on onion import against the backdrop of India's ban on export of the bulb to Bangladesh and other countries.   The Indian ban on onion export to Bangladesh has triggered an unusual upward trend in its prices. The onion price shot to about Tk 100 from the normal price of Tk 30 in the local market. A bulk import of such an essential item usually comes from the neighbouring country.   The Finance Minister said the government is very careful about the adequate supply of all essential commodities, not only about onions. "We, including the Prime Minister, don't expect any volatile situation of any essential commodities."   Commerce Minister    Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Wednesday said there is no need to panic over onion price as there is adequate stock of it.   "Our country has a demand of 1 million tonnes of onion till next season. In contrast, we've about 600,000 tonnes. There is shortage of 400,000 tonnes," he said at a press briefing on onion stocks, supply and price situation at the secretariat.   Minister Munshi said there will be a bit problem as onion import has been suddenly stopped from India. The government is trying to bring onion from other markets.   "Onion will be brought from other countries, including Turkey, Holland in the next 30 days. Then there will be no more problem," he said.   Munshi said unscrupulous traders have taken advantage of the fact as India has stopped exporting onions. Consumers are also buying more onions, which is creating panic.   "Don't panic. We'll take action against dishonest traders," he said.   Decision to import onion fromTurkey, Egypt    The government has decided to import onion from multiple sources to ensure enough supply of the popular cooking ingredient in the local markets.   In line with the decision, the government has already taken steps to import onions from Turkey and Egypt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.   The consignments are expected to reach Chittagong port early next month.   India on Monday prohibited the export of all varieties of onion except in cut, sliced or powdered form.

The Commerce Ministry and Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) have taken a joint initiative to sell onions through online shops targeting middle-class consumers.