India's onion exports treble, set new record on MEIS extension

Sops under MEIS were extended to boost exports, as realisations abroad were better than at home

India’s onion exports are estimated to have almost trebled in the recently ended financial year 2016-17, following the government’s move to incentivise overseas consignments. The move was taken to encourage large shipments of the commodity to overseas markets, as realisations abroad were better than those in the domestic market.

Data compiled by the government-owned Agricultural & Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (Apeda) showed India’s overall onion exports at 2.39 million tonnes for the period between April and December 2016.

Ajit Shah, President of Horticulture Exporters Association believes that another 150,000-200,000 tonnes were exported every month thereafter. Assuming