The Ministry of Finance and Planning today announced that import duty on potatoes and big onions had been increased by five rupees.

It said the duty on potatoes was increased from Rs.35 to Rs.40 while on big onions it was increased from Rs.30 to Rs.35.

“The increase in duty was imposed to ensure that local farmers receive a maximum value for their produce,” the ministry said.

The Government’s decision comes in the wake of the large stocks of potatoes and big onions that had been harvested during the Yala season. (Chaturanga Pradeep-DM Online)