The government has stopped issuing new permits for onion imports from India through Hili land port, citing the interest of domestic farmers. However, imports under previously approved permits will continue until January 30.
Officials concerned said no new import permits have been approved since Monday morning. Despite this, onions are still entering the country through Hili and other land ports against earlier permissions. On Monday alone, some 344 tons of onions arrived at Hili land port in 12 trucks.
Onion importer at Hili land port Mobarak Hossain said the government had allowed onion imports earlier to curb rising prices in the domestic market. Following a three-month halt, imports resumed from December 7 through various land ports, including Hili.
He added that as import volumes increased, onion prices gradually fell and stabilised at around Tk40–50 per kg. “Now that new import permits have been stopped again, there is a risk of renewed instability in the market,” he said, warning that prices could rise to Tk80–85 per kg. According to him, prices at the port have already increased by about Tk2 per kg following news of the suspension.
Deputy Assistant Quarantine Officer of the Hili Land Port Plant Quarantine Centre Yusuf Ali said onions were being imported from India on Monday under previously issued permits. “No new import permits have been issued since Monday morning,” he said, adding that higher authorities have confirmed that fresh permits will not be approved.
However, imports against existing permits will be allowed until January 30.
