Benapole, Jan. 11 -- Bangladesh government has halted the import of onions from India through the country's largest land port, Benapole, for the past two weeks, raising concern about a price hike.

Importers, however, can continue bringing in onions under previously issued permits until January 30.

Officials did not grant any new permits for onion imports from India on Saturday.

Since December 24, no onion shipments have entered through Benapole. The last consignment of 60 metric tons arrived on that date, while 390 metric tons were imported between December 15 and 24 through six consignments carried in 13 trucks.

Royal Islam, an onion importer, said the government usually allows onion imports when local prices rise sharply.

Imports o...