Demand for onion 24 lakh metric tonnes per year

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said, the demand for onion in the country is around 24 lakh metric tonnes a year now.

The minister said this while replying to a question of Bangladesh Tarikat Federation (BTF) member Anwar Hossain Khan at the National Parliament on Tuesday.

He said, “The production of onion was 23.30 lakh metric tonnes last year. However, amount stands at 16.31 lakh metric tonne leaving damages during collecting and preserving. The authority import onion as the local production cannot meet the demand.”

In reply to another question of BNP lawmaker Jahidur Rahman said, “The onion market became went up when India stopped onion export. But, initiative has been taken to import onion from other countries including Turkey.”

“I believe the onion market is now under control,” the minister, in absence of Commerce Minister Tipu Mushi said.
 

Dhaka/Asad/Nasim