India's state-owned trading enterprise - Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India (MMTC) has ordered an import of an additional 12,500 metric tonnes (MT) of onions from Turkey, officials said on Friday.
The procurement order has been placed in view of rising onion prices in India.
According to Indian government's consumer affairs, food and public distribution ministry, 12,000 metric tonnes would arrive in India before 31 Dec. 31, 2019, reports Xinhua.
"MMTC has contracted an additional 12,500 MT of onions from Turkey directed by the Price Stabilisation Fund Management Committee (PSFMC) of the department of consumer affairs," a statement issued by the ministry said.
"The latest contract of onions will begin arriving in India from mid-January onwards," it said.
Officials said with this additional 12,500 metric tonnes, the total contracted onions so far for imports have gone up to 42,500 metric tonnes.
"A bulk of the contracted onions to the tune of approximately 12,000 MT will arrive in India before 31st December 2019 which will then be supplied to various states in line with their respective demand. This is likely to immediately reduce the prices and improve overall availability," reads the statement.
MMTC is procuring onions from outside on the orders of federal ministry of food and consumer affairs.
