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CHATTOGRAM, Aug 17, 2025 (BSS) - Indian onion has been started reaching the local market resulting in sharp drop of prices in both retail and wholesale markets of the essential kitchen item. 

The wholesale market price of local onion in the country’s biggest wholesale commodity hub - Chaktai-Khatunganj market here has declined by up to Tk 10 per kilogram in just three days as government has given permission to import the onion from India. The Indian onion started reaching gradually the wholesale market here. 

Sources of importers said 100 tons of Indian onion has been imported through Sonamasjid land port, with the government allowing five commercial firms to import an additional 150 tons through Hili land port.

Traders said increased supply of the agro-product from India and other countries may further pull down its price in the next couple of weeks.  

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin hinted during a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce on August 12 that the government has started issuing Import Permission (IP) against onion import from any country aiming at controlling the price hike. 

Local varieties of onion were sold at between Tk 65 to Tk 70 per kilogram on August 15 last in retail market while the prices of the item began to increase from August 2 registering a rise by Tk 6 per kg. The price had been soared up to Tk 75-Tk 80 per kg till August 12 last in the wholesale market. Following price increase in the wholesale market, the consumers had to buy onion at Tk 90 to Tk 100 per kg from retail shops.
 
A number of Khatunganj based wholesale traders told BSS that 100 tons of onions were imported instantly by 2 importers in Chapainawabganj after getting permission from the ministry on August 12. The onion entered Bangladesh through the Sonamasjid land port on August 14. As a result, the market has seen a downward trend. 

While visiting the Katunganj-Chaktai areas today, it was seen that the onion produced in Pabna and Faridpur areas are being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 65 per kg, whereas the price was Tk 75 just 2 days back. 

Local farmers used to produce around 18 lakh metric tons of different local varieties of onion such as Taherpuri, Bari-1, Bari-2, Bari-3 and Faridpuri meet more than 80% of annual demand of 22 lakh metric tons. 

 Md Idris, the general secretary of the Khatunganj Hamidullah Mia Market Traders Association explained that like other perishable spices item, the onion price fluctuates based on supply and demand. 

Hoarders or Aratdars have no role at all in controlling onion price, he claimed adding that they operate trade on commission basis based the prices set by importers.

Union importer Mobarak Hossain said the fall in local onion supply has led to price increases. He suggested that the government should grant import permission to all importers to address the situation.

Korban Ali, a consumer said that a section of greedy importers and traders have been involved for a long time to make the market of some kitchen items costlier to make quick profits.