In preparation for the upcoming Ramadan season, the Bangladesh government has given the green light for the import of 39,000 tons of onions from India. The onions will be imported through the Sonamajsid land port in Chapainawabganj to address the local demand.

Somir Ghosh, Deputy Director of the Sonamasjid Land Port Plant Quarantine Center, confirmed this decision on Tuesday, stating that 31 importers at the land port have received approval for the importation. The process is expected to commence before the start of Ramadan.

The decision to import onions comes after India imposed restrictions on onion exports to Bangladesh and other countries until March 31, 2023, to stabilize prices in the local market. However, India has granted permission to export 64,400 tons of onions to the UAE and Bangladesh through the National Cooperative Exports Ltd, as per notifications issued by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry on March 4.

The importation of onions from India is crucial to ensuring an adequate supply of this essential commodity in Bangladesh during the Ramadan period, when demand typically increases.