In a bid to safeguard local farmers, the Government on Monday increased the import levy on big onions by Rs. 25 to Rs. 40 per kilogram.

Ahead of an impending move on Sunday, the price of imported big onions in Pettah market rose to Rs. 118 per kilo from Rs. 95 per kilo on Saturday, according to the Central Bank. Last week it was Rs. 85 per kilo.

“Local farmers have begun to harvest onions for the season. Around 60,000 tons of big onions are expected to be delivered to the market. To strengthen and ensure fair prices for local farmers, the current import tax of Rs. 15 has been increased to Rs. 40 per kilogram from Monday midnight,” Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

He said the Rs. 40 import levy on big onions would be effective for two months.

Sri Lanka’s annual big onion requirement is 290,000 tons. 

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