PUTRAJAYA: Fewer onions are being imported to Malaysia from India due to recent flooding in that country.
The floods, which struck in July 2020, led the Indian government to issue a prohibition on the export of all types of onion, except for the "Bangalore Rose" and "Krishnapuram", on Sept 14.
India, along with Pakistan, China, the Netherlands and Thailand, are the biggest exporters of onions to Malaysia.
Malaysians, however, have a preference for onions from India.
According to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, the price of onions depends on supply and demand.
"If there is less supply and high demand, then the prices will rise. This is what is happening to the onions from India, which will influence the rest of the onion supplies except for a few, such as Holland onions," he said in a statement today.
According to Bernama, Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid said consumers who prefer Indian onions should seek alternatives by opting for ones from Thailand, Pakistan, China, the Netherlands, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
"The ministry will continue to seek new sources from other onion-exporting countries to meet the demand," he said.
KPDNHEP will continue to regularly monitor the issue and not hesitate to take action if needed under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Determination of Maximum Price) (No. 2) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2020.
Consumers can monitor the prices of goods, including onions, through the Price Catcher application.
KPDNHEP welcomes any feedback from consumers so that further action can be taken.
Complaints can be made through the e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my portal, call centre at 1800 886 800, or through email at e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my.