MELAKA – The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has assured that the onion supply will not be affected following India’s ban on exports of the vegetable yesterday.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the ministry had made preparations for such a development.
“I have not received the official confirmation but I assure there will be no onion shortage in the country.
“For onion supply, we are also importing from China, Thailand and Pakistan as well as several other countries,” he said when met after the Melaka Amanah Convention here today.
Mohamad, who is also Amanah president, said the issue is whether there will be a price increase and the matter is under the purview of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
India’s Directorate-General of Foreign Trade was quoted today saying that India has decided to move onion exports from the free to banned category until March 31.
This followed food price hikes and political upheavals, especially with the impending parliamentary election in India next year.
India is the largest onion exporter to Malaysia with 36% while China and Thailand contribute 20% and 7% respectively. – December 9, 2023