Illegal Mini Bombay Onions Make the Fate of Farmers in Brebes Ruined

Chairman of the Legal Working Group of the Directorate General of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture in a discussion in Larangan, Brebes, Central Java/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - A number of red onion farmers in the Pantura region have complained about the entry of mini shallots in the market. Farmers say the presence of mini shallots damages the market price of local onions.

One of the farmers and onion traders, Muhamad Soleh (51), said that recently there was an attack on imported onions of the small bombai type that were circulating in the market. Physically, the shape is very similar to local red onions and sold at very cheap prices.

He said, mini shallots damaged the market price of local products. He revealed, before the imported mini bombay entered, the price of shallots at the farmer level was Rp32 thousand per kilogram (Kg) then fell to Rp26 thousand per kilogram.

"It is circulating a lot to Kendal, there are many mini bombai found there. The price is cheap. The impact, the price of red onions yesterday in farmers was Rp. 32 thousand immediately fell to Rp. 26 thousand per kilogram," said Soleh in a discussion with the Ministry of Agriculture in Larangan Village, Larangan District, Brebes, Central Java.

As a farmer, Soleh asked for firm action in the entry of this illegal imported onion. Especially the importer of mini shallots to be subject to criminal sanctions.

"We ask the country to make regulations and be firm. If the import does not comply with the rules, just act. This is clearly a crime, not a complaint offense, it is pure crime. As a red onion farmer, we ask that there really be law enforcement on the circulation of illegal onions," he said.

In line with farmers, the Chairman of the Indonesian Onion Association (ABMI), Dian Alex Chandra, emphasized that the circulation of mini shallots was very detrimental to farmers. Because of the very large price difference, many consumers are eyeing the mini shallots.

"It is clear that it has a very big impact, because the mini bombai is sold at a very high price, the difference can be up to Rp. 10 thousand," he said.

Furthermore, the price of mini shallots is around Rp. 18 thousand per kg, while the local red onion ranges from Rp. 26 thousand to Rp. 28 thousand per kg. It is this price difference that forces farmers to adjust the selling price to mini shallots.

"So automatically when people are faced with a price of up to Rp. 10 rb, yes, our onions are losing. Our onions will be priced to adjust to the price of mini bombai. Previously, the price was Rp. 32 thousand to Rp. 35 thousand per kg, now it has dropped to Rp. 26-Rp. 28 thousand," he explained.

Alex continued, the import of shallots is allowed provided that the diameter of the onion is more than 5 cm. So if there are small shallots resembling local onions, it is clearly illegal.

"The import of bombai is a requirement for the diameter of the onion to be above 5 cm. If the mini is similar to red onions, it is clearly illegal," added Alex.

Separately, Taufik Irawan, Head of the Legal Working Team of the Directorate General of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that in the decision of the Minister of Agriculture 105 years 2017 it was stated that shallots could enter Indonesia with the condition that the diameter was above 5 cm so as not to resemble the national red onion. Added, the Ministry of Agriculture so far has not regulated the issue of importing mini shallots.

"It needs to be emphasized, in the decision of the Minister of Agriculture number 105 in 2017 it is clear, that the onion that can enter Indonesia must have a diameter of over 5 cm, not resemble the national onion. The Ministry of Agriculture has no provisions regulating the entry of mini onion onions. Our rules clearly prohibit it," said Taufik.

Regarding the entry of mini bombai, Taufik admitted that the Ministry of Agriculture had never given recommendations to anyone. Because in the Minister's Decree, it is clear that there is a ban on the import of consumption onions.