Imports increased in Benapole, onions price falling

After being closed for almost a year and a half, onion import from India has started again through Benapole land port. One thousand 362 tons of onion has been imported in the last few days. Although onion is more or less imported through other ports of the country but import was stopped through Benapole port due to various complications including IP.

On the news of import, the price of onion in Benapole is being reduced by Tk 5 per kg to Tk 28. The port and customs authorities have instructed the traders to unload the goods quickly. According to onion importers, onions are being imported from India at prices ranging from 111 to 300 dollar per metric ton. In order to pay 10 percent duty at customs, the duty of per kg onion has to be paid at 2 rupees 75 paise. Onions from Nasik are being sold wholesale from Benapole port at Tk 26 to 28 and Haskhali onions at Tk 18 to 20.

Mujibur Rahman, a wholesale onion buyer, said that on the news of import, the price in the local market has come down by Tk 4 to 5 per kg in a single day. The way imports have increased, prices will come down further. Talking to the buyers of Benapole market, it is known that two days ago the price of onion was 32 to 35 rupees per kg. On the news of import, it now stands at Tk 28 per kg.

Benapole Port Deputy Director (Traffic) Mamun Kabir Tarafdar said that after more than a year, onion import from India has started through Benapole Port. In the last three days, 1091 metric tons of onion has been imported. All concerned have been instructed so that the traders can get rid of onions quickly.