Smuggled Chinese garlic adversely affecting business in Surat

Surat, Mar 17 (ANI): Traders in Surat city have urged the government to take adequate steps to prevent the smuggling of Chinese garlic in Gujarat, as it is affecting their business adversely.

Chairman of Gondal Market Yard, Jayantibhai Dhol expressed his concern over the decreasing consumption of the local garlic produce due to the surge in the demand of Chinese garlic in the market.

"The situation of garlic in the market is appalling. The fresh produce has not yet arrived. Because of the scanty rainfall last year, garlic is being produced in a specific area of Saurashtra region of the state. The production of garlic has declined. Steps should be taken to prevent the smuggling of Chinese garlic into the country from the Indo-Nepal border," said Dhol.

He further said that over 25 truck loaded with garlic pods illegally entered the country from Nepal border.

It is reported that the states that used to order produce from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were now more interested in purchasing Chinese garlic, as it was cheaper than the local produce.

"The consumption of garlic has reduced because we are not getting adequate price for it. Earlier, we used to get 1000 rupees but this year we are merely getting 400-500 Rupees," said Satodiya, a trader.

Recently, a local court in Nagpur city ordered to destroy garlic pods imported from China, after a test in a laboratory, based in state's Pune city, revealed that pods were infected by fungus.

Earlier, India had imported nearly 15,000-20,000 tonnes of garlic from China. (ANI)