India: To import large amounts of onions and potatoes
Last week, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal stated that India will import over 30,000 tons of onions and potatoes to stem the rising prices.
The statement comes as retail prices of vegetables continue to soar across the country ahead of the festive season. Errant rainfall, restricted transportation, and lockdown owing to the novel coronavirus pandemic and unavailability of produce have pushed the prices of vegetables up here hitting the common man hard.
For the past three days, the all-India average retail price of onions has been stable at Rs 65 per kg after the government has taken proactive steps to contain prices and ensure affordable onions for consumers, the minister said at a press conference.
Around 7,000 ton of onions has already been imported by market forces and another 25,000 ton is expected to arrive before Diwali, he said, adding that while the government is not directly importing the commodity, Nafed will soon invite players to import onions and supply it to needy states. Onions are being imported from Turkey, Egypt and Afghanistan.
Source: financialexpress.com
Fuente: https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9264218/india-to-import-large-amounts-of-onions-and-potatoes/
