Centre to import onions as prices surge

The Centre also directs Nafed and SFAC to procure 12,000 tonnes from producing states

The Centre on Thursday decided to import onions through its designated agencies as prices surged in major markets due to reduced supplies. It also directed the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (Nafed) and Small farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) to procure 12,000 tonnes of onions from producing states.

The decision was taken by the Price Stabilisation Management Committee, headed by the secretary, consumer affairs. It was attended by seniors from various ministries and the agencies through which the import would be canalised. As of Tuesday, prices at the wholesale market of Lasalgaon, near Nashik, one of the largest in the