Airlifted onion from Pakistan lands in Dhaka

During a widening onion crisis causing prices to reach record levels, Bangladesh has imported the kitchen essential by air freight. 

An 82-tonne consignment of the vegetable from Pakistan reached capital Dhaka on Wednesday (Nov 20), said officials.

"A cargo plane of Silkway West Airlines carrying 82 tonnes of onion have arrived. One Saad International imported the consignment," customs Assistant Commissioner Sazzad Hossain told our correspondent.  

Prices in Bangladesh increased rapidly after India banned exports to conserve its own stocks after they were hit first by drought and then by heavy monsoon rains.

The essential item, which usually costs Tk 30 taka a kg, soared to up to Tk 260 after India's export ban was enacted.