Fama looks for new onion supplies amid reports of Pakistan export ban
Published on: Thursday, January 11, 2024
By:
FMT, Chia Wan Rou
Food business owners have complained of an increase in onion prices, including for those from China.
PETALING JAYA: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) has begun seeking new sources of supply for onions to stabilise prices following reports that Pakistan may follow India’s lead in restricting exports.
Fama chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said the authority was aware of the expected increase in demand for onions in the coming months, particularly during the Chinese New Year, Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri seasons.
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“At present, we have to turn to (obtaining supply of) onions from China and Pakistan due to export restrictions imposed by India, but there are reports that Pakistan might also impose restrictions due to supply issues,” he told FMT.
If this situation arises, Aminuddin said Fama had taken precautionary measures by holding discussions with industry players to avoid supply shortages during the festive seasons.
He said Fama would also meet with representatives from the governments of India and Pakistan to urge them to lift the restrictions as soon as possible.
Last month, FMT reported that food business owners around the Klang Valley had complained about an increase in onion prices, including for those from China, which became an alternative following India’s move to ban onion exports until March next year.
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They claimed that the price of Chinese onions, which used to be RM1.90 per kg, had increased to RM4 per kg, while onions from Pakistan could reach up to RM6.90 per kg.
On Dec 16 last year, agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said the government was sourcing onions from China and Pakistan to supplement supplies and prevent a significant change in the retail price of onions.
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