Onion shortage hits markets

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has experienced delays in goods clearance, resulting in the current scarcity of onions in the market as of Tuesday.

Upon inquiry by Sun regarding this scarcity, the State Trading Organization (STO) stated it had decided to import a supply of onions from India to alleviate the issue.

According to traders, the onion shipment is at the port of Male' but customs clearance was suspended due to the Independence Day holidays.

Consequently, major retailers and wholesalers within the city are presently out of onions. Onions are presently only obtainable from smaller retail establishments.

Traders anticipate that the onion shipment will be cleared early on Tuesday evening. Therefore, the onion shortage is expected to be resolved with the availability of new stock on Tuesday evening.

A sack of onions is presently priced at MVR 360 in the market, equivalent to MVR 30 per kilogram.

India serves as the principal exporter of onions to the Maldives, supplying the country at a preferential rate.

Coinciding with the onion shortage, the price of fruits has also been increasing. The cost of apples, for instance, rose to MVR 9 a week prior.