Highlights
- Around 30,000 tonnes of Indian onions stuck at the border are now rotting
- Indian exporters in West Bengal and Maharashtra facing huge financial losses
- Onions bought at 22 rupees/kg are being sold for only 2–10 rupees/kg
- Exporters say they stored onions based on verbal assurance from Bangladeshi importers
- Retail prices in India still 20–30 rupees/kg, causing anger among local buyers
After Bangladesh decided to stop importing onions to protect its local farmers, Indian exporters—especially from West Bengal and Maharashtra—have been severely affected. Almost 30,000 tonnes of onions stored along different borders have begun to spoil rapidly.
Indian media outlet ETV reported that onions transported from Nashik at a cost of 22 rupees per kg are now being sold at extremely low prices.
Onions Sold at Throwaway Prices at the Border
On Friday (28 November), at the Mahadipur–Sonamasjid border, 50-kg sacks of onions were seen selling for only 100 rupees. Yet, just a few kilometres away in Malda’s local market, the same onions cost 20–22 rupees per kg.
This difference in price has brought many buyers to the border, but it is causing massive financial loss for exporters.
Exporters Say Bangladesh Gave Verbal Assurances
Exporters claim that they stocked onions at multiple border points—including Ghojadanga, Petrapole, Mahadipur, and Hili—based on verbal promises from Bangladeshi importers. Out of the 30,000 tonnes, nearly 20,000 tonnes were kept at Mahadipur alone.
They added that if exports had continued normally, they could have sold the onions at 30–32 rupees per kg, earning 8–10 rupees profit. Instead, the delayed exports mean large quantities are now rotting, and workers are being hired daily to separate spoiled onions.
Read More: Farmer Shot Dead During Local Mediation Over Goat Grazing Dispute in Cox’s Bazar
Traders Forced to Sell at Extremely Low Prices
One trader, Sajirul Sheikh, said:
“২২ রুপি কেজি দরে নাসিক ও ইন্দোর থেকে পেঁয়াজ এনেছিলাম। এখন পচা শুরু করায় বাধ্য হয়ে ২, ৬ বা ১০ রুপিতে বিক্রি দিচ্ছি।”
Translation: “I brought onions from Nashik and Indore at 22 rupees per kg. Now that they have started rotting, I am being forced to sell them for 2, 6, or 10 rupees.”
Another exporter, Jakirul Islam, explained:
“বাংলাদেশ পরিষ্কার জানিয়েছে, তারা এখন পেঁয়াজ নেবে না।”
Translation: “Bangladesh has clearly said they will not take onions at this moment.”
Indian Consumers Still Unhappy
Exporters from Malda and South Dinajpur say that only two months ago exports to Bangladesh were running smoothly. But the stockpile they built during that time has now turned into a burden.
Despite onions selling cheaply at the border, Indian retail prices remain high. A buyer in Malda, Khairul Haque, complained:
“রাজ্য ও কেন্দ্রীয় সরকারের অবহেলায় বাজারের এই অবস্থা। ব্যবসায়ীরা ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত, আর খুচরা বাজারে দাম এখনও ২০-৩০ রুপি।”
Translation: “Because of the negligence of state and central governments, the market is in this condition. Traders are suffering, but retail prices are still 20–30 rupees.”
Prices May Fall Further in Indian Cities
In Kolkata and surrounding areas, better-quality onions are still selling for 25–30 rupees per kg. Wholesale sellers believe that once the stock from warehouses enters the market, prices may drop further.
Source: Rtv news
