Lanka to import Pak onion
Thursday, 15 November 2007
COLOMBO, Nov 14 (PTI): Facing uncertainty over supply of onions from India, Sri Lanka is believed to have decided to import the commodity from Pakistan, a trader said yesterday.
"Traders have contracted 200 tons of onion from Pakistan for their immediate requirement and the consignment will arrive shortly," an office bearer of leading importers body said, adding that Colombo was facing problems in importing the edible bulb from India.
He said 20,000 tons of onion contracted from China had already reached the Sri lankan shores and it would augment domestic supply.
India, which is facing a dip in overseas sales due to increase in export price of the commodity by New Delhi, is also exploring the global market for export of big onions.
The Indian government had hiked export price of the bulb to discourage overseas sales to curb rising domestic prices of the commodity. However, it is now considering cutting the minimum export price of onion for November due to increased arrivals.
India's total onion exports during the first half (April- September) of the current fiscal fell to 3.84 lakh tonnes against 6.05 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year, according to the Nashik-based National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation.
Sri Lanka, which is battling inflation, decided to reduce import tax on big onions by Rs.15 per kilo to increase domestic availability of the commodity. Sri Lankan farmers are protesting the reduction in import of tax from Rs.20 per kg as they fear it would cause them losses.
"Traders have contracted 200 tons of onion from Pakistan for their immediate requirement and the consignment will arrive shortly," an office bearer of leading importers body said, adding that Colombo was facing problems in importing the edible bulb from India.
He said 20,000 tons of onion contracted from China had already reached the Sri lankan shores and it would augment domestic supply.
India, which is facing a dip in overseas sales due to increase in export price of the commodity by New Delhi, is also exploring the global market for export of big onions.
The Indian government had hiked export price of the bulb to discourage overseas sales to curb rising domestic prices of the commodity. However, it is now considering cutting the minimum export price of onion for November due to increased arrivals.
India's total onion exports during the first half (April- September) of the current fiscal fell to 3.84 lakh tonnes against 6.05 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year, according to the Nashik-based National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation.
Sri Lanka, which is battling inflation, decided to reduce import tax on big onions by Rs.15 per kilo to increase domestic availability of the commodity. Sri Lankan farmers are protesting the reduction in import of tax from Rs.20 per kg as they fear it would cause them losses.