The Agriculture Ministry on Thursday gave approval to the import of onion from nine countries including India in the circumstance of soaring onion prices in the country, reports UNB.

Approval was given to import 2, 400 metric tonnes (MT) of onion from China, 3, 910MT from Egypt, 1, 1820 MT from Pakistan, 1100 from Qatar, 2100MT from Turkey, 200MTs from Myanmar, 33MT from Thailand, 4MTs from Netherlands and 3MT from the UAE, said  a media release signed by Kamrul Islam, public relations officer of the ministry, said.

The prices of onions started to soar in the country after  neighbouring country India imposed a 40 percent export duty on onions with effect from August 20.

Moreover, onion import from India through land ports across the country came down to around half following the slapping of the duty.

Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque