Our Correspondent :
Onion import from India has resumed after 40 days through Benapole land port on Wednesday. Dhaka-based importer Jubayer International imported 30 metric tones of onions and Jessore-based Deen Islam Traders imported 45.6 metric tones of onions through Benapole Port.
The import price of onion per metric ton is 123 US dollars. The onion consignments were unloaded from the port on Thursday morning.
Earlier, on April 30, the Indian government suspended onion exports to crisis the production. As a result, the importers of Bangladesh were severely affected.
Although the LCs worth crores of taka were open, but the exporter can’t export the onion due to the ban.
Swapan Kumar, Revenue Officer of Benapole Customs Cargo Branch said, total 75.6 metric tons of onions were imported from India. Traders have to pay 5% duty on the import price to get the goods deliver.
C&F Agent Sejuti Enterprise is collaborating with importers to complete customs and port formalities.
Ali Hossain, general secretary of the Benapole Port Import-Export Association, said, On the news of onion import, the price of onion in the local market has come down by Tk 10 per kg. The price of onion was TK.55 per kg in the market three days ago.
If the supply of imported onions increases, the market price will come down further, he said. Imported onions are being sold to local traders from the port at TK. 35 per kg.
Imported Indian onions are being sold in the wholesale market at TK36 and in the retail market at TK. 40.
Benapole Port Director (Traffic) Abdul Jalil said, Onion import from India has started after 40 days through Benapole port . Total 75.6 metric tons of onions were unloaded from the port on Thursday.
