Indian onion imports through the Benapole land port have resumed after a nearly three-month suspension, bringing relief to consumers who have grappled with soaring prices in recent months.
On Monday afternoon, three trucks carrying 90 metric tonnes of onions crossed into Benapole from Petrapole, India – the first consignment since imports were halted in September.
Rafiqul Islam Royal, proprietor of Royal Enterprise, the agency responsible for handling the release of imported onions, confirmed the shipment’s arrival.
He noted that this consignment is 50 per cent larger than the 60-tonne shipment imported just before the suspension.
The renewed supply is already influencing local markets. A survey of Benapole’s retail outlets on Monday morning showed prices of domestic cut onions falling by Tk 5 to Tk 105 per kg, while dry-quality local onions dropped by Tk 10 to Tk 120 per kg.
Traders directly linked the decline to the return of Indian imports, which historically help moderate domestic onion prices.
Shyamal Kumar Nath, Deputy Assistant Officer at the Benapole Plant Quarantine Centre, said the Ministry of Commerce has approved limited-scale imports under a controlled framework. Under the new guidelines, 200 pre-registered importers will be issued daily permits, each authorising the import of 30 to 60 tonnes of onions. “If the supply chain remains stable, the government may expand permit issuance, which could further ease market prices,” Nath added.
To expedite distribution, Shamim Hossain, Director (Traffic) at Benapole Port, confirmed that all relevant authorities have been instructed to fast-track customs and quarantine clearance for onion consignments. “Our priority is to minimise delays so traders can swiftly deliver the produce to markets nationwide,” he said.
Md Jamal Hossain/MHK