Govt allows onion import from 9 more countries

The Agriculture Ministry has given approval to import onion from nine more countries besides India.

Around 21,580 tonnes of onion will be imported from the countries, the ministry said in a press release on Thursday afternoon.

The press release said the approval was given to import 2,400 tonnes of onion from China, 3,910 tonnes from Egypt, 11,820 tonnes from Pakistan, 1,100 tonnes from Qatar, 2,110 tonnes from Turkey, 200 tonnes from Myanmar, 33 tonnes from Thailand, 4 tonnes from Netherlands and 3 tonnes from EAU.

Around 3.79 lakh tonnes of onion, so far, came to the country against the permission to import a total of 13.73 lakh tonnes, according to the release.

A few months ago, the government approved onion import from India following an increase in prices of the kitchen item in the market.

Onion prices rose again in the market after India recently imposed a 40% export duty on the item to improve its domestic availability.

RMM/SU