Onion Import Rules Extended Till 31 January

On Thursday, the government extended relaxed norms for onion imports for one and a half months till 31 January next year, to boost domestic supply and keep prices of the vegetable in check.

On 21 October, the government had relaxed the conditions for fumigation and additional declaration on the Phytosanitary Certificate (PSC) under the Plant Quarantine Order (PQ), 2003 to facilitate import of onion till 15 December 2020.

In an official statement, the Agriculture Ministry said that it has decided to extend the relaxation for imports up to 31 January in the light of public concern over high prices of onion in the market.

Prices of the kitchen staple have been moderate lately, ruling at Rs 40 per kg on Thursday.

The ministry said that the relaxation will be subject to certain conditions. The consignments of imported onions will arrive in Indian port without fumigation and such endorsement on the PSC, would be fumigated in India by the importer through an accredited treatment provider.