By: Amie A.P Ceesay
Onion prices have reached a new high following several months of turmoil in the essential commodity market, The Voice can report.
The onion market has remained volatile for a long time now and according to the Minister of Trade, BaboucarrUsmaila Joof, climate change was at the root of the Gambia’s onion and Irish potato problems.
He recently told Star FM Wake-up Gambia show that extreme weather events in Europe have been hampering the capacity of countries that produce onions and Irish potatoes.
A 25kg bag of red onions was, as of this week, trading at D2,100 whilst an 18kg of white onions was traded at D1,350.
Prior to the increments, a 25kg bag of red onions was sold between D1800 and D1900.
Meanwhile, a bag of Irish potatoes was sold at D1000 during the period under consideration.
Critics have meantime blamed the various governments for the country’s soaring onion prices.
The Gambia is agro-ecologically suitable for the growing of onions and potatoes but lack of policy direction and investments has left the country heavily dependent on imported onions and potatoes.
