The government is importing 60,000 tonne of onions from Egypt to cover the deficit of onion in local markets, says Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi.
"Among the 60,000 tonne, a consignment of 10,000 tonne is on way to Bangladesh," he said on Thursday (Oct 31).
Speaking at a programme in Dhaka, the minister said, “Prices of onions hiked as Myanmar alone was unable to fill the deficit, and also because a few dishonest traders were increasing the price taking advantage of the supply shortage.”
On Wednesday (Oct 30), prices of onions soared as high as Tk 150 a kg at the capital’s kitchen markets - the highest in years, according to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).
Local onion retailed at Tk 140-150 per kg, and onion imported from Myanmar at Tk 130, depending on varieties and qualities, at different kitchen markets.
On Oct 2, the wholesale prices of local and imported onions were at Tk 60-70 per kg.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (Oct 29) termed the onion the crisis temporary, and said it was nothing to worry about.