The Bangladesh market for Indian fresh onion
Bangladesh (28.04% of India's FY2024-25 fresh-vegetable exports, APEDA), Nepal and Sri Lanka are the largest onion buyers, largely by land.
Indian community in Bangladesh (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 8,560 (NRI 8,550 + PIO 10).
Fresh Onion specification for Bangladesh orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Bulb size | 25-40 mm, 40-55 mm, 55 mm+ (typical) |
| Skin | Dry, well-cured, 2-3 outer skins (typical) |
| Defects | No sprouting, rot or black mould; doubles/splits ≤ 2-3% (typical) |
| Transit | Ventilated container or reefer at 0-2 °C for long routes (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping fresh onion to Bangladesh
Typical sea transit from India: 7–12 d by feeder via Colombo/Singapore to Chattogram; land route via Petrapole–Benapole 1–3 d from Kolkata (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days.
Supply window: Indian fresh onion is mainly produced or harvested Harvest Jan-Apr; cold-storage stock traded year-round (ASSUMPTION); Rabi (storable) Mar-May; kharif Oct-Dec; late-kharif Jan-Feb (ASSUMPTION). Allow 7–12 d by feeder via Colombo/Singapore to Chattogram; land route via Petrapole–Benapole 1–3 d from Kolkata (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Bangladesh customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' about 13-14 MT, 40' HC about 28-29 MT.
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF; CIF Bangladesh is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Bangladesh
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Chittagong (Chattogram) | Chattogram Port (Chittagong Port Authority; ~90% of Bangladesh seaborne trade) / Matarbari | C&F agents & importers (Khatunganj - largest commodity wholesale market in BD: spices, onions), pulses |
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from India to Bangladesh take?
Typically 7–12 d by feeder via Colombo/Singapore to Chattogram; land route via Petrapole–Benapole 1–3 d from Kolkata (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) days at sea (estimate).
Does Bangladesh have a trade agreement with India?
SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) + India's duty-free quota-free LDC scheme (Bangladesh graduates from LDC Nov 2026 — preferences change); bilateral CEPA talks launched 2023 stalled after 2024 political change; 2025 port-restriction measures by both sides — verify land-port routes before quoting [S7 — not mentioned; S9] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to fresh onion from India?
Usually HS 070310. Bangladesh applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Can onions be exported from India now?
The 20% export duty was withdrawn from 1 April 2025 and no later restriction was found in our check, but onion policy changes often - we confirm the DGFT/CBIC position before each contract.
Which size grades are available?
Typically 25-40 mm, 40-55 mm and 55 mm+ bulb diameter.
What is Bangalore Rose onion?
A small, pungent onion variety from Karnataka exported mainly to South-East Asia.
Related guides
Request a quote: fresh onion to Bangladesh
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Bangladesh. We quote CIF/CFR with full export documentation.