ARAU: Consumers in Perlis are advised to opt for onions imported from Pakistan and Vietnam to reduce over dependency on onions from India in their cooking.
This is following Indian government's decision to ban onions export until next month.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry's Perlis office director Norazah Jaapar said the supply of onions in the state is stable despite the export ban by India as there are sufficient supplies from other source countries.
"Although India is the largest exporter of onions to this country, we are not experiencing any issue with its supply especially in Perlis.
"We are urging consumers to opt for other options such as onions imported from Pakistan and Vietnam for example as there is a marginal price hike for onions from India due to the temporary export ban," she said after inspecting the 2024 Chinese New Year Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) at a hypermarket here today.
Norazah added that the current sale price of onions from suppliers to retailers is between RM7 and RM10 per kilogramme and based on the ministry's record, the price had once skyrocketed to RM20 per kilogramme two years ago.
She said the ministry's focus now is not to increase the supply of onions from India is not a priority now as there is a sufficient alternative supply from the other source countries.
Norazah hoped that the red onions price would get cheaper once the import from India is restored after March.
India is the largest onion exporter to Malaysia with 36 per cent while China and Thailand contribute 20 and seven per cent respectively.