Another 426 tonnes of Pak onion lands at Gujarat port

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Three days after arrival of 200tonnes of onions from Pakistan, an additional 426 tonnes ofthe vegetable has also landed at Mundra port in Gujarat fromthe neighbouring country to boost domestic supply.

"Second consignment of 426 tonnes of onions imported bythe Indian government from Pakistan landed at the Mundra portyesterday (Sunday)," official sources said here today.

"After the two consignments, rest 374 tonnes of thecontracted onions are also likely to reach the country soon,"the sources added.

The first consignment of 200 tonnes had earlier reachedthe same port in Kutch district of Gujarat on Friday last.

The government had asked state-owned trading agenciesPEC and STC to import onion to augment domestic supply to reinin the soaring prices of the kitchen staple.

Since Pakistan had banned trade of onion to India throughland route, the government agencies had to seek the vegetablethrough sea route from there.

Accordingly, the two agencies had ordered for 1000tonnes of onions from Pakistan.

Union Agriculture ministry had said that the firstconsignment of the vegetable is expected to reach the nationalcapital by road on January 18 (tomorrow).

The 426 tonnes of onions are expected to arrive here inanother 3-4 days, the sources added.

The imported onions on reaching Delhi would be madeavailable on retail sale through Mother Dairy, KendriyaBhandar, Nafed and NCCF.

The onion would be sold at Rs 35/kg which is much lesscompared to the prevailing rates varying around Rs 50-60 a kg.