While the retail prices of onion and tomato continued to remain in the range of Rs 60-70 per kg in the national capital, the ministry said their rates are likely to drop as the arrival of the fresh goods has commenced.
Private traders have imported 80 containers of onion from Egypt and the Netherlands, and the stock is expected to boost availability and check prices of the key kitchen staple, the government said on Friday.
To further boost the availability of onion in the national capital, state-owned Mother Dairy has been asked to buy the commodity from the open market, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said after an inter-ministerial panel reviewed prices and availability of onion and tomato in the country.
A senior Consumer Affairs Ministry official explained the imports have been done by private traders and the shipments have reached the Mumbai port. The private trade will supply the imported onions wherever the demand is there in the country, the official said.
