The federal government has imposed a ban on the export of onions and red chillies with immediate effect till May 31, as revealed in a notification. The decision to impose a ban was taken by the cabinet in the Economic Coordination Committee meeting on February 19. However, the decsion would cost millions of dollars to fruit and vegetables exporters.
Pakistan has received first onion export order of more than 300 tons from Bangladesh after nearly 15 years. This is after an Indian ban on Bangladesh to avert price hike in domestic markets. At least 12 containers of onions are being exported to Bangladesh and more will follow. The onion trade was also agreed on in government-to-government talks. The shipment value from Pakistan will be around $600/ton.