Shortage in onion import from Baluchistan and Sindh

 

webdesk . Due to the limited supply of onions from the crops of Balochistan and Sindh and the additional tax on important imported food items from January 1, onion started selling at more than Rs 250 per kg in Karachi, while in other parts of Pakistan it was Rs 200 to 320 per kg.  It was sold in between.

According to the report, according to the Statistical Institute, the overall price of onion was Rs 200 to Rs 320 per kg in the week ending January 26, which was previously selling at Rs 180 to Rs 280 during the week ending January 5, Islamabad.  In India, onions are being sold at Rs 260 to 320 per kg, which is the highest price ever. Out of the 600 to 700 containers of onions stuck at the port, only a few containers could reach the market, due to which the prices have increased significantly.  Seen

All Fruit and Vegetable Table Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed said that importers are paying an additional tax of 18 to 20 rupees per kilogram of onion on onion import tax which was zero till December 31, 2022.

Apart from this, the import of onions from Afghanistan and Iran has also been stopped because of crop problems there, but consumers are preparing their daily diet with Egyptian, Turkish and Chinese onions.

He said that one and a half lakh tons of onions were received monthly from the crops of Balochistan and Sindh, but now only 25 to 30 thousand tons are coming.

Waheed Ahmed said that at least 100,000 tonnes of onion can stabilize or bring down the prices.

He expressed concern that the bullish trend in onion prices may continue as transport costs will increase amid a depreciation of the rupee and a possible hike in the prices of petroleum products and diesel.

He alleged that banks are supporting importers while others are using delaying tactics in issuing import documents and opening letters of credit, as a result of which some containers were cleared, others were stuck for more than a month.  which is affecting the quality of food.

Waheed Ahmed said that another reason for the increase in onion prices is that the bank authorities are imposing penalties on additional dollar rates.

 He said that the increase in onion prices will continue till March.  He said that the wholesale rate of Pakistani onion in Karachi is 170 to 180 rupees per kg while the retailer is making profit in this situation, the common citizen seems helpless.