TS to import 500 MT onion from Egypt in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: With the fast depleting onion stocks in the open market due to low production this year, the State government has decided to import 500 metric tonnes of the essential commodity from Egypt. The first consignment of 100 tonnes of onions will reach Telangana by December 7.

State Marketing Department officials said that the government already requested the Centre to exempt excise duty on the import of the commodity in view of the scarcity of the product in the market where it is being sold between Rs 100 to Rs 150 per kg.

Officials said that the State depends on Maharastra for onions. After the standing crops washed away in the recent unseasonal rains, onion stocks were decreased drastically in Telangana market.

As a result, the prices were skyrocketed and the consumers will have to shell out more from their pockets. To give a relief, the state government is making arrangements to make available onions at Rs 60 per kg in the identified markets mainly Mahdipatnam and Saroor Nagar Rythu Bazaars.

The quality of the imported onions will be different from the locally available produce. Officials said that onion scarcity will last some more months until the supplies of new crops from Maharastra arrive.