Will reduce potato prices if import duty slashed: EFCITA

By Kelum Bandara 

The Essential Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association (EFCITA) said the market prices of potatoes as a main consumer item could be reduced if the government slashed import duty. 

A spokesman of the association said the government imposed Rs.50 as import duty on a kilo of potatoes thereby resulting in increased wholesale and retail prices. 
“Today, vegetable prices are very high due to shortfall in supply. As a remedy for consumers, we can lower potato prices if the government reduces tax. Potatoes are mainly imported from Pakistan these days. Sri Lanka imports 15,000-20,000 tonnes of potatoes per month,” he said.  

When asked about onion prices, he said prices were high in the world market and therefore there was no immediate solution. 
“As a leading onion producer, India has stopped exports these days leading to a spike in the world market. As a result, Sri Lanka mostly imports from the Netherlands. Besides, red onion is imported from Thailand,” he said.