The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) yesterday quizzed 32 more onion importers and initially found that importers did not hoard the bulb that reached its highest ever price in recent days.  

With them, the CIID has so far grilled 43 importers, who brought more than 1,000 tonnes of onions between August and November this year, to “gather information” on sales and stock of the cooking ingredient.

On Monday, the CIID questioned 11 other onion importers.

The CIID’s initiative came in the wake of surging onion prices that hit as high as Tk 250 per kilogram last week, owing to a shortage of supply. 

Earlier, the field office under the National Board of Revenue asked 45 onion importers to appear before its office with information on the quantity of onion they sold and the names and addresses of the traders to whom they sold the onions.

“We have got the information about those to whom the onions were sold. Now, we will compile the information on sales to the large traders. And if needed we will talk to them,” said CIID Director General Shahidul Islam while briefing reporters at his office.

“Our objective is to ensure that no one hoards onions so that the bulbs go to market without delay,” said Shahidul, adding that they expect the prices of onions to come down within a couple of days.

“We have talked in a friendly environment and encouraged them to import more,” he said.

Asked if they had found any inconsistencies between the import and selling prices of the spice, the CIID DG said they would be able to say once the information is compiled.