The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) has urged the government to permit onion imports immediately to rein in spiraling prices, which have surged by 53 percent within a week across Dhaka’s markets.
According to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) data, retail onion prices climbed to Tk 110–120 per kilogram on Friday, up from Tk 70–80 just a week earlier.
Explaining the sharp price hike, the BTTC said delayed cultivation of early-season “Murikata” onions has disrupted supply, while some market intermediaries are allegedly creating artificial shortages to manipulate prices.
“We have recommended granting quick approval for limited onion imports to stabilise the market,” BTTC Chairman Moinul Khan told reporters.
The commission noted that importing onions from India and other neighbouring countries — where prices are significantly lower — could help ease pressure on domestic consumers. Even after paying the existing 10 percent import duty, imported onions could retail for below Tk 50 per kilogram in Bangladesh.
The BTTC also clarified that reducing import duties is unnecessary at this stage, given the price difference with foreign markets. Instead, it emphasized the need for rapid import approval to stabilize supply.
A recent BTTC report revealed that the average onion price jumped from Tk 42 per kilogram in March to Tk 105 in November — an increase of about 150 percent. It also observed that onion prices have typically doubled between March–April and November over the past three years, underscoring the need for a sustainable, long-term market management strategy.
