New Delhi: The Union government has decided to permit the import of Onion, from Afghanistan and other countries, to keep the Onion rates in the country under check and the traders have already imported 7,000 tonnes of Onion. 25,000 tonnes of Onion will reach the markets before Diwali. Whereas, Piyush Goel, Minister for Food Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Commerce informed that due to the increasing rates of Potato, 30,000 tonnes of Potato would be imported from Bhutan.
Over the last few days, the Onion rates have skyrocketed. Fresh crops and seeds have suffered losses due to excessive rains. As a result, the reduced inflow of Onion in the markets shot the rates up to ₹85 to ₹100. Even Onion exports had been banned because of the increasing prices. At the same time, steps have been initiated to control the prices by allowing import of Onions.
Following the start of imports, the Onion rate have dropped to ₹65 per Kilogram. But the rates are still ruling in the ₹80 to ₹90 in some parts. Onion will be imported from various countries. Contacts have been established with Afghanistan, Egypt and Turkey for this purpose. The regulations for import of Onion and Potato have been amended for a limited period, to ensure speedy imports. The import duty on Potato and Onion has been brought down to 10%.
Confidence is being expressed that the Onion and Potato rates will stabilise, once the inflow increases. Private traders have imported 7,000 tonnes of Onion. Along with this, the Union government and NAFED will be importing Potato and Onion. NAFED has already released a tender for import of 15,000 tonnes of Onion, on Saturday. Currently, NAFED is selling from its reserved stocks, to control the rates. The union government informed that till date 36,488 tonnes of Onion has been sold from the reserve stocks.
25,000 tonnes of Onion will reach the markets before Diwali. The Kharif crops are also expected to reach the markets by next month, which will help in reducing the rates further. The Onion rates had shot up even last year, owing to excessive rains. Therefore, 36,050 tonnes of Onion, was imported. Now Potato also is being imported with Onions. 30,000 tonnes of Potato will be reaching India from Bhutan.
Along with this, the government has kept a scheme ready for import of 1 million tonnes of Potato. Currently, the Potato rates are in the range of Rs. 50 to Rs. 60. The situation will be under control once this Potato reaches the market.
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