Onion sales not possible below Tk55 per kg: Commerce minister

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that the government has started importing onions, but it will not be possible to sell this essential commodity for below Tk 55 per kilogram. 

The minister made this remark during an event of the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) held in the capital’s Old Paltan area on Sunday.

“Last year, there was instability in the onion market. Learning lessons from the past year, we were ready this time,” he said, adding that the government started importing onions at the moment the crisis emerged. 

Imported onions started to enter Bangladesh three days ago. The retail price, however, cannot go below Tk55 per kg, considering the profit of traders and importers. 

Mentioning that the country witnesses around 8 to 9 lakh tonne of onion shortage each year, Tipu Munshi said that the onion imported from neighbouring country India reduces up to 90% of the shortage. 

“But this year, they themselves are facing a shortage. Onion is being sold at Tk105-110 today in the markets of Kolkata. Potato is being sold at Rs67, which is equivalent to Tk55,” he said, implying that the price of onion and potato increased in India as well. 

Tipu Munshi also said that India, just like last year, suddenly stopped the export of onions without any prior notice.