India suddenly suspends onion export to Bangladesh

India has suspended onion export to Bangladesh from Monday afternoon. ‍As a result nearly 150 onion laden trucks were stranded at Petrapole. Same situation at the Bhomra land port, there no onion laden truck entered in Bangladesh from the morning.

According to an Indian source, onion export is suspended through all ports in Bangladesh. Indian onion export organization suspended export after entering 50 metric tons of onion through Benapole land port.

Indian businessman Kartik Ghosh on behalf of onion exporters association said, the association decided not to export onion in Bangladesh less than 750 US dollars per ton. As a result a number of vehicles were standing on the border.

Rafiqul Islam Royal, an importer at Benapole said, we usually import onion from India at 250 US dollars per ton. But due to flood in India they have said that they would not export onion to Bangladesh less than 750 US dollars according to the local market price. For this reason they have suspended onion export.

Onion businessman Anil Majumder from Bangaon area of India said, we have no objection to export onion to Bangladesh. We will resume export if LCs are issued at the market price. In this regard older LCs have be issued under new prices and the new LCs have to be issued at the rate of 750 USD per ton, in this way the onion import in Bangladesh may be made normal.

Benapole Customs House Commissioner Azizur Rahman said, India without any prior announcement has suspended onion export demanding increase of price. They could have announced a timeframe.

Meanwhile, retail businessmen have increased the price of onion by 5 taka and are selling at 65 taka per kg before the evening at Benapole area.

AH