Afghan onion imports picking up

Import of onions from Afghanistan has picked up momentum and is likely to increase further, traders said on Monday about the supplies which are aimed at bringing down the shooting prices of the commodity in India. "Against 2 to 4 trucks a day initially, now minimum 6 to 7 trucks carrying onion are crossing over to India via Attari-Wagah land route (in Punjab) from Afghanistan," according to Amritsar-based trader Anil Mehra.

Traders said the supply of onions from Afghanistan may increase further. With onion prices going through the roof in India, traders from Punjab have started importing the crop from Afghanistan through the Attari-Wagah land route.

Traders from Punjab and Delhi are finding it feasible to import the crop from Afghanistan for sale in the country in the wake of its higher prices in the domestic market.