The government has stopped granting permission to import onions from India since Monday morning to protect the interests of local farmers. However, imports under previously approved permits can continue until January 30.
Importers warned that halting imports could push up onion prices, while the Agriculture Department said that ample new local onions are already available, so prices are unlikely to rise.
Shahidul Islam, owner of M/s Raihan Traders and vice president of the Hili Land Port Importers-Exporters Group, told Amar Desh that onion prices rose Monday, with local onions selling for 54–62 BDT per kg, compared to 46–53 BDT the previous day.
Karwan Bazar trader Ashraf Hossain noted that local onions increased by 4–5 BDT per kg, while new Indian onions sold for 58–60 BDT and older stock for 63–65 BDT. Retailer Abdul Kader said prices rose 5–7 BDT per kg compared to the previous day.
He added that although new local onions are arriving, supplies are still limited, and import restrictions may further drive up prices. There is also concern that some traders could manipulate prices.
Dr. Jamal Uddin, Additional Director of the Field Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension (Monitoring & Implementation), said the government stopped new import permissions to protect farmers as domestic onion prices have already fallen due to a large supply of sorted onions. He added that if traders do not manipulate the market, prices should remain stable.
Although permission was initially set for 51,000 tons, 86,000 tons have already been approved. Imports under existing permits can continue until January 30, after which the permits will expire.
Importers confirmed that no new permits were issued Monday morning, though onions under existing permits continued to arrive at Hili and other land ports. On Monday, 344 tons arrived at Hili via 12 trucks.
Hili Land Port importers said the government allows imports when domestic prices rise, ensuring market stability. After a three-month halt, imports resumed on December 7, initially in limited quantities, which had little impact on prices. Later, as more imports were allowed, prices began to fall, reaching 40–50 BDT per kg.
However, with Monday’s halt on new import permits, market uncertainty has returned. Importer Mobarak Hossain said prices could rise again to 80–85 BDT per kg, noting a 2 BDT increase at the port immediately after the news.
Yusuf Ali, Deputy Assistant Officer at Hili Plant Quarantine Center, confirmed that while imports under existing permits will continue until January 30, no new permits have been issued.
Previously, to protect farmers, onion imports through Hili were halted from August 30. Imports resumed on December 7 to stabilize the market.
