Although shipments of Iranian and Afghanistani onions have been steadily arriving over the last week, these imports failed to provide any relief to the consumers as traders further pushed up prices of the staple food to Rs90-100 per kg (from Rs80).
Non-availability of Sindh onion and dependence on Balochistan variety has paved way for imports from Iran and Afghanistan. Onion prices had been under pressure for the last few months as only the Balochistan crop is feeding the entire country until new Sindh crop of onion is harvested by middle of October.
Traders said they had been procuring Iranian and Afghani onion at Rs60-70 per kg depending on the quality while Sindh variety, which started with very low quantity, sells at Rs80 per kg. However, the rupee-dollar parity had remained stable during July-August, keeping cost of imports under control.
They said they are lifting Sindh crop from the Sabzi Mandi in very little quantities due to higher rates. The Afghani onion is black in color while Iranian onion is of different color than Sindh crop. Very small quantity of Afghani onion is also available in the market. Many traders have mixed both the countries’ onions.
Garlic now also taxing festive season meals
This festive season, a kg of garlic now costs Rs 232, while peeled garlic costs Rs 267 per kg. According to HOPCOMS, a kg of onion costs Rs 54, potato Rs 29, ginger Rs 200 and tomato Rs 34.
Officials maintained that the price rise has nothing to do with the festival season, as it is assumed, but actually due to continuous rainfall. Ashraf U F, a vegetable vendor in Indiranagar, said that during festival season, vendors tend to make a little more profit. “Vegetables are a daily necessity, and during festive season, prices hike by about Rs 5 or Rs 10.
[ Rs100 = €1.28 ]
