Pakistan: The ‘sixth largest’ onion producing country is facing a crisis

Onion prices are skyrocketing in different parts of Pakistan and the same is the case in Sindh province, where prime onion is being sold at Rs 285 per kg.

Iranian onions and Tajik yellow onions are also available in different cities of Sindh, the prices of which are slightly lower but not very popular among buyers. Buyers generally prefer to buy red onion.

Cultivation of onion

Sheikh Imtiaz Hussain, president of Pakistan Agriculture and Horticulture Farm, told Independent Urdu that ‘Pakistan is the sixth largest onion producing country in the world, with an annual production of more than 2 million metric tons.’

He said that Sindh produces 40% of the country’s onion, while Balochistan produces 33%, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produce 16% and 11% respectively.

“Pakistan is one of the few fortunate countries in terms of onion cultivation where onion crop can be cultivated throughout the year.”

According to Sheikh Imtiaz Hussain, when the crop of Sindh ends, then the crop of Punjab comes to the markets and when the crop from Punjab decreases, the onions start reaching the markets from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and then Balochistan.

The Onion Crisis

Imtiaz Hussain further said that ‘red onion is currently suffering from a crisis due to the floods in Balochistan, due to which the onion harvest has been delayed and this is the reason that the onion which is currently available in the market is being sold at double prices. Being sold.

“But it is hoped that in 15 to 20 days Balochistan’s onion will come in the market, which will lead to an improvement in prices.”

Import of onions

According to the head of Imtiaz Enterprises, a major onion trading company: ‘Currently, onions are being imported from Iran and Tajikistan, while onions from Sindh start coming into the market from September, which lasts until April.

Similarly, onions go to the market from Balochistan from March, which lasts till August, while from August, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa starts.

“In this way, the red onion coming from the four provinces is enough to meet our needs for 12 months.”

He said that China and Myanmar cultivate yellow onion while India and Pakistan produce red onion and Pakistan can also earn foreign exchange by exporting onion.

Mohammad Afzal, Head of Vegetable Market Committee, told Independent Urdu that currently there is a shortage of red onion due to floods as it is necessary to draw water from the land for replanting and it takes time.

He said that the main reason for the onion crisis is the government because due to lack of timely measures, the onion crop gets damaged due to floods.

He said that at present onion in Sindh has remained 10% which will be exhausted in a few days. However, soon Balochistan onions will start arriving and the prices will come down gradually.

According to the prices released by Commissioner Karachi on Tuesday, the price of first grade onion is Rs 180 per kg, while the same onion is available in the market at Rs 250 per kg.

The price of Iranian and Tajik onions is Rs 100 to Rs 160 per kg.