STO rolls out onion shipment to market at MVR 15 per kilo

State Trading Organization (STO) has rolled out the shipment of onions imported by the company to the market in response to the recent shortage.

Onions stocks hit a low in the market on July 29^th, as a result of which prices of onions in Male’ market skyrocketed due to the shortage. The shortage was attributed to delays in the clearance of goods by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) as clearance was suspended during the Independence Day holidays.

STO announced their decision to import an onion shipment from India to alleviate the issue on the same day.

On Thursday, STO said it has rolled out the imported shipment to the market. According to the company, the shipment was brought into stabilize the market in light of a shortage caused weather-related reasons.

According to STO, onions will now be available at its People’s Choice outlet and wholesale centre. The company said an onion kilo is presently priced at MVR 15.

Onions were being gradually rolled out to the market two days after the shortage hit.

Back then, the price per kilo of onions stood at MVR 35, with a sack costing between MVR 450 and MVR 500. The roll out of stock dropped the price to between MVR 20 and MVR 25 per kilo, while an onion sack is priced at below MVR 400.

Nevertheless, this is still not the normal price of onions, which is usually sold for MVR 11 per kilo.

Sellers who spoke to Sun back then said additional stock would further drop the prices.

Onions are a staple in Maldivian cuisine.