Large onion shipment springs to the rescue of local consumers

PETALING JAYA: Dry those tears, shoppers -- a shipment of onions from India has arrived to help ensure sufficient supply and stable pricing of the vegetable, says Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic).

“We have been given an assurance by a large wholesaler who imports onions from India that there will be sufficient supply in the coming week.

“In fact, the shipment has arrived in the country but (the ship) has yet to dock, ” he said during a visit to a hypermarket in Kuchai Lama on Tuesday (Feb 9).

Prices of Indian onions had risen to as much as RM18 per kilo since late last year compared to the usual prices of between RM3 and RM4 per kilo.

Last month, during his visit to a wholesaler in Klang, Nanta had given an assurance that there would be an adequate supply of onions in the country.

He explained that India, Malaysia's main source, had recovered from recent flooding and was able to resume exports of its onions.

Malaysia mainly imports small red onions from India, China, Thailand and Myanmar; small red rose onions and big onions from India; red onions from China; and big yellow onions from Holland.

Nanta assured the public that there was ample supply of local and imported food during festive as well as and non-festive periods.

On a separate matter, Nanta said some traders were selling items under the price control scheme at lower prices for Chinese New Year.

“For example, standard chicken is being sold 50 sen cheaper.

“Other items such as onions, red chillies and imported potatoes are also being sold cheaper, ” he said.

The festive price control scheme for 16 food items began on Monday (Feb 8) and will continue until Feb 16.

Among the items listed include chicken, eggs, round cabbage, red chillies, tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, white pomfret, large prawns, pork belly, and pork (meat and fat).