Onion imports resume through Benapole Land Port

JASHORE, Dec 16: After a three-month pause, onion imports from India have resumed through Benapole Land Port. The latest consignment entered Bangladesh via Petrapole port on Monday.

A visit to Benapole's kitchen market on Monday morning showed prices already easing. Local "murikata" onions fell by Tk 5 to Tk 105 per kg, while dry local onions dropped Tk 10 to Tk 120 per kg. Shyamal Kumar Nath, Deputy Assistant Officer at Benapole Plant Quarantine Centre, said the commerce ministry has permitted limited imports from India. "Each day, 200 importers will be issued import permits (IP), with each allowed to bring in 30-60 tonnes," he explained. He urged the government to open IPs more widely, noting that greater imports would help stabilise the domestic market further.

Benapole Port Director Shamim Hossain confirmed the arrival of three trucks carrying 90 tonnes of onions on Monday.