Onions are still out of stock in all major super markets in Port Moresby.
LOOP PNG visited several major supermarkets today still with empty shelves and disappointed customers.
These include the CPL’s Stop N Shop, Food World and RH Supermarkets.
Central Waigani Stop N Shop Assistant Manager Julius Koriu said the stock they brought in last week lasted less than a week.
He says CPL buys onions from local farmers in Simbu Province and has it transported to Port Moresby via PNG Air.
Boroko Food World ran out of onions last Wednesday, their stock lasting only a day also from local producers.
They hope to have more onions by December.
At RH Hypermart staff says they have not had onions on their shelves in the last two months.
They import from Australia and since the ban they have not been able to find a local supplier.
Since the ban on importation of fresh produce major food retailers have found it difficult to find a local source for onion supply.
Local markets within the city have been selling onions for as high as K10.
Agriculture Minister, Tommy Tomscoll made a rushed decision three months ago to ban several imported vegetables including bulb onions.
The decision caught exporters and importers completely off guard, many describing the move as “un-researched’’ and a silly one.
In the same knee jerk reaction, Tomscoll hurriedly announced a temporary relief on the total ban after public outrage last week on social media about the high cost of locally produced bulb onions especially in the capital.
Several attempts via phone calls and text messages to Tomscoll since last week for comments by LOOP PNG were not returned.