Big size Chinese onion to boost supply

Mumbai, Jan 15 (PTI) Big size onions, each weighing abouthalf-a-kg, from China have arrived in Mumbai to boost supplyof the kitchen staple in the domestic market.

"Eleven tonnes of onion arrived here from China yesterdayto boost the stock of the important veggie in the domesticmarket," Onion and Potato Market Washi Director Ashok Bajujtold PTI.

The wholesale prices of the Chinese onion are ruling inthe range of Rs 32.50 to Rs 40 per kg, he said.

The Chinese onions have been imported by a privatecompany (Hindustan Trading), Baluj said adding they have beenstored in the APMC (Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee)godown in Washi in Mumbai.

The vegetable is of big size weighing about half-a-kgeach, Baluj added.

Wazir Bhai of Hindustan Trading said, "We havecontracted 11 tonnes of onions from China on trial basis. Moreshipments will be ordered seeing the response of thecustomers."

"Five star hotels are showing great interest inpurchasing the Chinese onions," he said.

Baluj said that customers say the quality of the Chineseonion is good but its taste is not that pleasant.

Prices of the vegetable are ruling high at Rs 50-60 a kgin retail markets across the country on short supply.

To meet the demand, government has also asked state-runtrading companies to source onion from other neighbouringcountries.

Yesterday about 200 tonnes of onion imported by thegovernment from Pakistan had landed at the Mundra port inGujarat.