No way-out sans onion import: Commerce Minister

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said that there is no other option but to import onion to cool down its prices in the kitchen market.

A letter has been sent to the Ministry of Agriculture from the Ministry of Commerce to import onion as the price of onion has increased at the consumer level in the market, he added.

He came up with the disclosure while responding to questions from reporters after the speech of the chief guest at the annual sports and merit award and meritorious reception ceremony of Badda Alatunnessa Higher Secondary School in the capital on Sunday.

Commerce Minister said, “Onion production in our country has been sufficient. But many businessmen are destabilising the market by stockpiling onions in the hope of making more profit. At the consumer level, onion prices have increased over the past few days.”

Tipu Munshi also said, “We have requested the Ministry of Agriculture to take a quick decision in this regard after monitoring the onion market.”

"The import permit has been kept off so that the farmers of the country get a fair price of onion. However, consumers are now struggling to buy onions in the market. In this case, there is no other option but to import onion. I am expecting stability will come back soon after the import of onion,” he continued.