KARACHI: The government’s decision to impose a ban on the export of onions and bananas has failed to bring any price relief for consumers.

Retailers continued selling onion at Rs280-300 per kg while fruit vendors demanded Rs150 for small-sized bananas and Rs250-300 per dozen for large sized.

Onion was selling at Rs150 per kg two weeks back while small-size and large-size bananas were available at Rs80 and Rs120-150 per dozen, respectively.

Retailers claimed that the wholesale prices of onion and bananas had not come down in the main fruit and vegetable market at Superhighway after the ban imposed on March 9.

However, another reason for no let-up in prices was the high demand for these items ahead of Ramazan. Retailers fully utilised the situation and kept the rates high.

Wholesalers and exporters expect a price drop in these two items in the next two to three days as exporters, who got payments from overseas buyers, were trying to clear their old orders.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2024