DHAKA:  Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said onion market will return to normal when shipments arrive from India at the end of October. 

He said: “India may lift onion export ban at the end of October. As a result, the onion market is expected to come under control soon. Besides, if a businessman stores onions in dishonest ways, the government will take a tough stance against them.”

The minister said this while speaking to reporters at the secretariat on Monday (October 14).  

The minister said onion supply was stopped for two days from Myanmar, because of a major religious festival. It was also off from India. I was not in the country. I returned home this morning. But, secretary spoke to the businessmen. Efforts are being made to import onions. This problem is temporary. The pressure that we had on ourselves was offset by the closure of the source. You get into trouble, when people who you rely on stop export. Onions are being sold at Taka 55-60 in India. 

Now the trouble with Myanmar is resolved. Now, the supply will start. Efforts are underway to import from other sources. The problem won't last long. India may lift their onion sanctions towards the end of this month. If not then, the problem will persist until we harvest our new onions in November, he also said.  

BDST: 1912 HRS, OCT 14, 2019

AH/SMS