Dhaka: Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Thursday said the government has imported onion on priority basis from Egypt to keep its supply stable in the domestic market ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

He said necessary directives have been given to Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) for quick delivery.

"We import onion from neighbouring country. Onion price has gone up too due to flood. We've imported onion from Egypt as an alternative means," said the Commerce Minister acknowledging an increased price on imported onion.

He was addressing a review meeting on prices of essentials at the Commerce Ministry, said a PID handout.

The Commerce Minister said the supply and stocks of essentials, including onion, salt, ginger and garlic, is normal in the domestic market.

He said all procedures are completed to import 5 lakh metric tonnes of salt as salt demands increases during Eid-ul-Azha, used in rawhide preservation.

Necessary permission has been given to 232 salt mills to import 2150 metric tonnes of salt.

Commerce Secretary Shubhashish Bose was, among others, present.