Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has confirmed that the government will allow onion imports this season to curb rising prices in the domestic market.

Speaking at a press briefing at the secretariat in Dhaka today, he noted that imports will be permitted from any country offering competitive prices, not just India. The amount brought in will depend on market demand and supply conditions.

Over the past week, retail onion prices have risen by Tk 20–25 per kilogram, with current rates ranging from Tk 75 to Tk 90 depending on the variety. At the farm level, prices have gone up due to spoilage from inadequate storage.

While Bangladesh is expected to produce more than 3.9 million tonnes of onions this season, post-harvest losses mean the country will still need to import an estimated 600,000–700,000 tonnes, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension.

Last year during the same period, retail onion prices were even higher — Tk 110–120 per kg, according to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh data.