TCB imported 201 metric tons of onions from India

Due to the increase in India's export price due to the production crisis, the import of a type of onion has been stopped through Benapol, but onions of the state-owned organization Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) have been imported.

201 metric tons of onions were imported through Benapole port in the first shipment on Sunday afternoon. These onions are imported in 7 trucks. TCB imported 3 thousand 800 metric tons of lentils on February 2 this year and 3 thousand 200 metric tons of lentils on December 21 last year and 2 thousand 211 metric tons of onions on December 4.

It is known that although the import cost of onion is 55 taka per kg, TCB will sell these onions at government prices in different parts of the country along with other products through card to low income people with more than half price subsidy. Customs and port authorities are providing all kinds of cooperation so that onions can be released from the port quickly.

Meanwhile, due to various obstacles, onion import is reduced and the market price is rising day by day. However, the sellers think that the price of onion import will decrease this time. Last year, the import cost of onion fell between 40 rupees.

Business people said that TCB has been selling essential food at a low price to one crore and one lakh families of the country for the last few years to give some relief to the low income people in the market of rising commodity prices. The food items include two kilograms of onions, one kilogram of sugar, two kilograms of lentils, two liters of soybean oil and five kilograms of rice for each family.

The government decided to import onions from India to supply these daily products. 201 tons of onions arrived at the port in 7 trucks on Sunday. According to the documents, the import cost of onion per kg is around 55 rupees. However, the government will give this onion to the hands of low-income people at less than half the price.

Meanwhile, the sellers believe that the price of onions will decrease in the domestic market due to the government's import of onions. A week ago, Indian onion was sold at Tk 50 in the open market, but now it is being sold at Tk 65. Desi onion is being sold at 80 to 85 taka.
Hazrat, a wholesale onion seller in Benapole market, said that onions are being sold at high prices due to low supply. Government onion import prices may decrease.

Jabir Hossain, a general customer with a card issued by the government, said that the price of everything in the market is high. In this high price market, we can buy imported onions at a low price.

Hemant Kumar Sarkar, plant pest control officer of Benapole land port, said that onions have been cleared from the port as they are suitable for consumption.

Abdul Jalil, Acting Director of Benapole Land Port, said that work is being done by keeping the port open for 24 hours so that the onion port of TCB can be released quickly.