Grow our own onions or look for alternative supply, retailers urge Putrajaya

SHAH ALAM - Retailers have urged Putrajaya to look at other measures to ensure consistent supply on onions nationwide.

D Luboq Cafe owner Ramlah Mohd Ishak highlighted that the recent 40 per cent duty imposed on Indian onions could potentially impact the Malaysian market.

"While India is a significant supplier, Malaysia could explore alternative onion importers such as China.

"The quality of onions can vary among countries and it's crucial to evaluate the suitability of the product for local preferences," Ramlah told Sinar Daily.

India has slapped a 40 per cent export tax on onions on the back of higher domestic prices of the vegetable to ensure domestic availability and cool inflation, and is effective immediately until December 31.

Due to that, Ramlah said to ensure consistent supply of onions, Malaysia might need to consider sourcing from multiple countries and even support domestic onion cultivation.

This approach could prevent situations like past price hikes and ensure a reliable onion supply at reasonable prices, she added.

Meanwhile, Sureephorn Pulut Ayam Thai owner Alyassa Kamal noted that price increase could affect the availability and affordability of onions for Malaysian consumers.

"Given that Indian onions constitute a significant portion of onion import in Malaysia, any disruptions in supply or price fluctuations from India could have an impact on the local market.

"Malaysia could explore alternative importers like China," Alyassa suggested.

However, the quality of onions can vary, even though India is known for producing better quality onions.

Malaysia may need to diversify its sources to ensure a steady onion supply nationwide, he mentioned.

"To mitigate price fluctuations, establishing a diverse network of onion suppliers and promoting local onion cultivation could be potential solutions."

On the other hand, Limoka Coffee owner Azrul Hanaffi Rauzan said India stands as one of the largest global onion producers.

"Securing a stable onion supply for a country depends on various factors, including domestic production, imports, and market dynamics," Azrul said.

Moreover, the government could also explore measures like stockpiling, diversifying sources, and promoting local production to address price fluctuations.

Azrul emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy to effectively manage onion prices.