<p>Concerned over spiraling retail onion prices that have hit Rs 80 per kg in the national capital, the Centre has asked the state-owned MMTC to import 10,000 tonnes of the key kitchen staple at the earliest and directed the co-operative NAFED to cancel its tender.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"NAFED could not issue a global e-tender for import of 10,000 tonnes of onions. So, we have asked MMTC to import same quantity of onions as early as possible," a senior Agriculture Ministry official told PTI.<br /><br />The onion imports would boost domestic supply and check a further spike in prices, the official said.<br /><br />MMTC has experience in issuing e-tenders and it would be able to contract onions from overseas markets like Pakistan, Egypt and China, the official explained.<br /><br />The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) had on July 23 floated a normal tender, due to which it did not receive a single response from the global suppliers. It had re-invited the tender last week.<br /><br />"We have been directed to cancel the tender. We could not issue an e-tender as we do not have the experience. Putting the e-tendering process in place would take at least 20-25 days. So, MMTC was asked to tender," said a NAFED official.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Punjab traders have started importing onions in small quantities from Afghanistan through the Attari-Wagah land route.<br /><br />"A few traders have just started importing onion from Afghanistan. About 2-4 trucks of onions are being imported through the Attari-Wagah land route per day," Amritsar-based trader Rajdeep Uppal told PTI.<br /><br />The traders are finding it feasible to import the crop from Afghanistan in the wake of higher domestic prices, he added.<br /><br />Adding to consumers' woes, the retail onion prices have shot up to Rs 80 per kg in the national capital due to tight supply despite the government's efforts to keep a lid on prices.<br /><br />The retail prices have surged, taking strong cues from the Azadpur wholesale mandi, where onions are available at as high as Rs 48-50 per kg.<br /><br />Onion prices are hardening due to the fall in output and a sluggish supply of stored onions, which are meant for meeting demand during the lean July-September.<br /><br />Total onion production is estimated to be lower at 189 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June), slightly lower than 194 lakh tonnes a year ago.<br /><br />Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh are the top three onion-producing states in the country. <br /></p>
<p>Concerned over spiraling retail onion prices that have hit Rs 80 per kg in the national capital, the Centre has asked the state-owned MMTC to import 10,000 tonnes of the key kitchen staple at the earliest and directed the co-operative NAFED to cancel its tender.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"NAFED could not issue a global e-tender for import of 10,000 tonnes of onions. So, we have asked MMTC to import same quantity of onions as early as possible," a senior Agriculture Ministry official told PTI.<br /><br />The onion imports would boost domestic supply and check a further spike in prices, the official said.<br /><br />MMTC has experience in issuing e-tenders and it would be able to contract onions from overseas markets like Pakistan, Egypt and China, the official explained.<br /><br />The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) had on July 23 floated a normal tender, due to which it did not receive a single response from the global suppliers. It had re-invited the tender last week.<br /><br />"We have been directed to cancel the tender. We could not issue an e-tender as we do not have the experience. Putting the e-tendering process in place would take at least 20-25 days. So, MMTC was asked to tender," said a NAFED official.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Punjab traders have started importing onions in small quantities from Afghanistan through the Attari-Wagah land route.<br /><br />"A few traders have just started importing onion from Afghanistan. About 2-4 trucks of onions are being imported through the Attari-Wagah land route per day," Amritsar-based trader Rajdeep Uppal told PTI.<br /><br />The traders are finding it feasible to import the crop from Afghanistan in the wake of higher domestic prices, he added.<br /><br />Adding to consumers' woes, the retail onion prices have shot up to Rs 80 per kg in the national capital due to tight supply despite the government's efforts to keep a lid on prices.<br /><br />The retail prices have surged, taking strong cues from the Azadpur wholesale mandi, where onions are available at as high as Rs 48-50 per kg.<br /><br />Onion prices are hardening due to the fall in output and a sluggish supply of stored onions, which are meant for meeting demand during the lean July-September.<br /><br />Total onion production is estimated to be lower at 189 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June), slightly lower than 194 lakh tonnes a year ago.<br /><br />Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh are the top three onion-producing states in the country. <br /></p>