Ministry warns against onion price hike; denies supply issues
While a sack costs between MVR 550 and MVR 700, an Indian onion sack costs MVR 600 even at the lowest price.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
The Economic Ministry has urged traders not to sell onions at high prices, assuring them that there is no difficulty in importing onions from India.
Maldives imports most of its onions from India. India banned onion exports on Thursday for various reasons.
Earlier, the price of onion in the Maldivian market had started to rise since the Indian government changed the export prices.
The Economic Ministry issued a press release on Sunday evening. Onion prices remained higher in the market on Sunday as well. And many stores wouldn’t even sell whole sacks of onions.
The Economic Ministry said in a statement that there is no reason to sell onions at higher prices.
The three main points mentioned in the ministry's statement were;
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Although India has temporarily suspended onion exports to some countries due to the current weather conditions, the country has not taken any measures to make it difficult for the people of Maldives to get onions
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The ministry has been assured that the onion will be imported without any difficulties
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The results of the study conducted by 23 different businesses showed that the price of onions has increased by between 20% and 50% compared to November 23
"There is no difficulty in importing onions and other essential commodities into Maldives. I assure you that the government will provide an appropriate solution in the event of any difficulty in importing essential commodities into Maldives," the ministry said in a statement.
Onion prices in the nation’s capital on Sunday hovered between MVR 30 and MVR 40 per kg. While a sack costs between MVR 550 and MVR 700, an Indian onion sack costs MVR 600 even at the cheapest price.
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