Onion

Onion prices rise in Lasalgaon wholesale market after scrapping of MEP

Onion prices rose at the Lasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in the district on Saturday following the Union government's decision to scrap the minimum export price (MEP) and halve the export duty, sources said. The Lasalgaon APMC is one of the biggest onion wholesale markets in the country. The prices of the kitchen staple in the APMC rose by average Rs 433 per quintal, sources said. "The removal of MEP is certainly a good decision. The market has increased a bit. We think there should be no export ban. The imposition and removal of such things affects the market. Now MEP has been removed, but farmers' onion produce is running out," said Balasaheb Kshirsagar, Lasalgaon APMC chairman. "There is no clarification yet about whether export charges have been reduced by 20 per cent or 40 per cent," he told PTI. As many as 425 vehicles or 5,182 quintals of onion arrived at the market on Saturday. The prices ranged from Rs 3,700 to Rs 4,951 per quintal and Rs 4,700 per

Govt removes minimum export price on onion; aims to benefit Indian farmers

The government on Friday scrapped a minimum price threshold that it had set previously for exports of onion as it looked to pass on the benefit of international glut to Indian farmers. The government had previously fixed a USD 550 per tonne as the minimum export price (MEP), which essentially meant farmers could not sell their produce overseas at lower than this rate. A DGFT notification issued on Friday removed the MEP with immediate effect. The move comes ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra, a key onion producing state. The move would help promote exports of the commodity. "The Minimum Export Price (MEP) condition on Export of onions is removed with immediate effect and until further orders," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

Average onion prices at Rs 58 per kg in national capital: Govt data

Average onion prices in the national capital continue to rule high at Rs 58 per kg on tight supply, the government data showed. According to the data compiled by the Department of Consumer Affairs, the All-India average price of onion on Tuesday is Rs 49.98 per kg, while the modal price is Rs 50 per kg. The maximum price of onion is Rs 80 per kg and the lowest is Rs 27 per kg. On September 5, the Centre began the first phase of retail sales of onion at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg to provide relief to Delhi-NCR and Mumbai consumers from rising prices of the kitchen staple. NCCF and NAFED, which are maintaining a buffer stock of 4.7 lakh tonne onion on behalf of the government, have started retail sale through their stores and mobile vans. Last week, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare noted that the outlook for onion availability and prices in coming months remains positive as the kharif (summer) sown area has increased sharply to 2.9 lakh hectares till last month against

Govt to begin onion sale at Rs 35 per kg in Delhi-NCR from Thursday

To contain rising prices of onion, the Centre will kickstart from Thursday retail sales of the bulb at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg through mobile vans and NCCF retail shops in Delhi-NCR. Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi will launch the retail sale of onion from Krishi Bhawan, an official statement said. The sale through mobile vans will be undertaken at 38 locations including Krishi Bhawan, NCUI complex, Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, Patel Chowk Metro Station, and parts of Noida, it said. The market intervention is aimed at improving local supplies and curb rising prices of the key kitchen staple, which is ruling over Rs 60 per kg in the national capital. NCCF has maintained a buffer stock of onion procured directly from farmers of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The same onion will be offloaded for retail sale at a subsidized rate of Rs 35 per kg in order to protect consumers from exorbitant prices and prevent windfall gains for intermediaries. By directly eng

Kitchen staple onion prices remain above Rs 45/kg, supply shortages persist

Many onion traders are holding back their stock, anticipating further price increases due to the potential for heavy rainfall in October and November, which could disrupt supply

Centre imposes 40% duty on export of onions with effect from May 4

The government on Friday imposed a 40 per cent duty on export of onions. It also exempted duty on the import of desi chana till March 31, 2025. Besides, it has extended the duty exemption on imports of yellow peas covered by the bill of entry issued on or before October 31, 2024. In a notification, the finance ministry said the changes would be effective from May 4. Currently, the export of onion is banned. However, the government allows shipments to India's friendly nations. It has permitted a specified quantity of onion exports to UAE and Bangladesh. In August last year, India had imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions up to December 31, 2023.

India allows export of 10,000 tonnes of onion to Sri Lanka, eases ban

Directorate General of Foreign Trade says India has approved 79,160 tonnes of onions for export, overriding a ban imposed in December

Govt extends export ban on onion to increase domestic availability

The government has extended the export ban on onion till further orders, according to a notification of the commerce ministry. Earlier, it was prohibited till March 31 this year. "Export prohibition on export of onions valid till 31st March 2024, is extended until further orders," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has said in a notification dated March 22. DGFT is an arm of the ministry which deals with exports and imports-related issues.

Govt permits 4,750 tonnes of onion exports to Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius

The government on Wednesday permitted exports of 4,750 tonnes of onion to Bhutan, Bahrain, and Mauritius through the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL). The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification said that while export of 550 tonnes of onion is permitted to Bhutan; 3,000 tonnes to Bahrain, and 1,200 tonnes to Mauritius. "Exports of onions" to these three countries "through NCEL is notified," it said. Last week, India allowed exports of 64,400 tonnes of onion to the UAE and Bangladesh. DGFT is an arm of the commerce ministry, which deals with norms related to imports and exports. Though onion exports are banned, shipments are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries based on their request. On December 8 last year, the government banned exports of onion till March 31 this year with a view to increase domestic availability and to keep prices in check. To control prices, the government has earlier taken several steps

Onion prices fall by Rs 150 per quintal at Lasalgaon mandi in Nashik

Onion prices on Tuesday fell by Rs 150 per quintal at Lasalgaon mandi in Nashik district of Maharashtra after the government announcement that the ban on exports of the bulb will continue till March 31. Driven by reports of the lifting of the export ban on the commodity, the modal wholesale onion prices shot up 40.62 per cent to Rs 1,800 per quintal on February 19 in Lasalgaon, the country's largest wholesale onion market, from Rs 1,280 per quintal on February 17. However, on Tuesday the prices eased by Rs 150 per quintal to an average price of Rs 1,650 per quintal with 8,500 quintal onions auctioned. "The prices increased a bit last week, however, with no government resolution (GR) or announcement about the lifting of the ban on onion exports, these have stabilised," Lasalgaon APMC chairman Balasaheb Kshirsagar told PTI. Earlier in the day, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told PTI that the "ban on onion exports has not been lifted. It is in force and there is no chang

Will ensure farmers don't face losses due to onion export ban: CM Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said his government will find a way so that farmers do not suffer losses due to the ban on export of onions. Shinde visited his Shiv Sena party office in the Vidhan Bhavan premises in Nagpur ahead of the third day of the state legislature's winter session here. The Centre has banned onion exports till March 31, 2024, to increase domestic availability and keep prices in check. Speaking to reporters on the issue, Shinde said the state government always stands with farmers of the state. The CM said he had a telephonic conversation with Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal on the onion issue. "We will find out a way so that farmers and customers do not face losses due to the ban on export of onions," Shinde said. On the issue of ban on the use of sugarcane juice and sugar syrup for ethanol production, the CM said the government representatives will meet Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah ov

Onion farmers stage protest on Mumbai NH, stop auctions over ban on exports

Onion farmers blocked the Mumbai Agra Highway at three places in Maharashtra's Nashik and stopped auctions in wholesale markets of the district on Friday after the Centre announced a ban on the export of the kitchen staple, police said. The Centre has banned onion exports till March 31, 2024, to increase domestic availability and to keep prices in check. Farmers stopped auctions at onion markets of Lasalgaon, Chandwad, Nandgaon, Dindori, Yeola, Umarane and other places in Nashik district on Friday, an official said. According to officials, auctions were not held at Lasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), but were conducted at Vinchur and Niphad sub-committees of Lasalgaon APMC. As many as 600 vehicles laden with onions arrived at Vinchur on Friday. The minimum price was at Rs 1,500 per quintal, maximum at Rs 3,300 per quintal and Rs 2,700 per quintal average, they said. Hundreds of cultivators gathered on the Mumbai-Agra Highway and blocked the road using tractors a

Travellers may now be able to buy onions, atta at major metro stations

If the plan is successful in Delhi, it may also be extended to other cities with metro networks like Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru

Onion prices: All-India average rate at Rs 59.09 per kg in retail market

All-India average retail onion price on Monday is ruling high at Rs 59.09 per kg, according to the government data. To control the price rise, the central government, late last month, imposed a minimum export price of USD 800 per tonne to check exports and boost domestic supply. Retail prices had shot up to around Rs 80 per kg due to tight supply. As per the data from the Consumer Affairs Ministry, the all-India average price of onion on Monday is ruling at Rs 59.09 per kg. The highest price was recorded at Rs 90 per kg, and the lowest at Rs 20 per kg. The all-India modal price is Rs 60 per kg. In Delhi, onion prices have fallen to Rs 60 per kg. Onion prices in the national capital started inching up from October 25, when the rates were at Rs 40 per kg. Rates doubled to Rs 80 per kg on October 29. Onion is grown in three seasons -- kharif, late kharif and rabi. It is only rabi onion which is stored, as the variety grown in this season has a longer shelf life. On October 28, the .

Mother Dairy's Safal outlets to sell buffer onion at Rs 25 per kg

Stepping up measures to provide relief to consumers from rising onion prices, the Centre on Saturday said Mother Dairy's Safal outlets will also sell buffer onion at a subsidised rate of Rs 25 per kg from weekend in Delhi-NCR, while Hyderabad Agricultural Cooperatives Association is doing so in Telangana and other southern states. Already, cooperative bodies NCCF and Nafed are retailing buffer onion at subsidised rate on behalf of the central government. While Nafed has so far set up 329 retail points consisting of mobile vans and station outlets in 55 cities across 21 states, NCCF has set up 457 retail points in 54 cities in 20 states, it said. Kendriya Bhandar too has started retail supply of onion through its outlets across Delhi-NCR from November 3. "Safal Mother Dairy will start from this weekend. The retail sale of onions to consumers in Telangana and other southern states is being taken up by Hyderabad Agricultural Cooperatives Association (HACA)," the consumer affairs minist

Onion prices in Maha fell 5-9% after decision to fix MEP, says Centre

The Centre on Monday said prices of onion in Maharashtra fell by 5-9 per cent from last week following its decision to fix minimum export price. On Saturday, the Centre imposed a Minimum Export Price (MEP) of USD 800 per tonne on onion exports till December 31 to boost the availability of the vegetable in the domestic market. In an official statement, the government said its "decision to impose Minimum Export Price of USD 800/ton on Onion with effect from 29th October 2023 till 31st December 2023 to discourage exports and maintain availability in domestic markets has shown an immediate impact of price correction in Maharashtra markets". In Maharashtra, prices recorded a decline of 5 per cent to 9 per cent from the highest price registered during last week, it added. The weighted average price of onion in Maharashtra across all the markets has declined by 4.5 per cent and a similar decline was observed in consumption centres as well. The Department of Consumer Affairs is monitoring

Onion traders in Nashik go on indefinite strike; govt orders strict action

Onion traders have said that they suspended auctions in all agriculture produce market committees in Nashik district of Maharashtra and their protest will continue indefinitely, a development raising the fear of shortage of the kitchen staple in retail markets and hike in prices. An office-bearer of the Nashik District Onion Traders Association (NDOTA) said on Wednesday they were protesting against the Union government's recent move to increase export duty on onions up to 40 per cent, which will remain in force till December 31. Taking serious cognisance, the District Sub-registrar, Co-operative Societies, on Wednesday night issued an order directing all APMCs to suspend or cancel the licences of the striking traders and submit the Action Taken Report on September 21. "In protest against the export duty hike decision, we have decided to shut the auction of onions in all APMCs in the district indefinitely. This (export duty hike) decision of the Centre will not only make export of ..

Nepal traders resume importing onions from India to calm rising demand

Traders in Nepal have resumed importing onions from India to meet the soaring domestic demand ahead of a festival season, days after the supply was halted following India's decision to slap a 40 per cent export tax on the vegetable. Last week, India, the world's biggest exporter of onions, imposed a 40 per cent tariff on the export of the vegetable till December 31 to restrict overseas sales. The move reportedly came amid an anticipation of a price rise ahead of the festival season when demand for most commodities goes up. The new tariff had severely affected Nepal as several traders in the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market - the Himalayan nation's largest wholesale market for agricultural products - reported a sudden scarcity of onions. Nepal imports 99 per cent of its onion requirements from India. Traders in Nepal imported 265 tonnes of onions from India in the last 48 hours which helped resume smooth supply of the vegetable ahead of the festival season. On Wednesday, 120 ton

Onion export duty: Auctions begin in Maha APMCs, stop later over low prices

Onion auctions resumed for some time in a few APMCs in Nashik in Maharashtra on Thursday after being stalled since Monday even as more than 500 farmers blocked the Mumbai-Agra highway seeking cancellation of the Union government's decision to impose 40 per cent export duty on the kitchen staple, officials said. Auctions began at the APMCs in Lasalgaon, the largest wholesale onion market in the country, as well as Pimpalgaon and Chandwad in the morning but were stopped some time later after the farmers did not get the Rs 2,410 quintal as promised by NAFED, an apex organisation under the Union Agriculture ministry, and NCCF, they said. Officials said farmers also stopped the auction since personnel from NAFED, or National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited, were absent during the auctions. "In Lasalgaon, as many as 300 vehicles laden with onions arrived for auction in the morning with minimum price per quintal being Rs 600, the maximum being Rs 2,500 and ..

Nepal faces shortage after India slaps 40% tax on onion exports: Report

Nepal has started to face an acute shortage of onions, days after neighbouring India slapped a 40 per cent export tax on the vegetable, a media report said on Wednesday. India last week imposed a 40 per cent tariff on the export of onions till December 31 to restrict overseas sales. The move comes amid anticipation of a price rise ahead of the festival season when demand for most commodities goes up, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported. The new tariff has severely affected Nepal as several traders in Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market -- the Himalayan nation's largest wholesale market for agricultural products-- reported a sudden scarcity of onions. There is a severe scarcity of onions in the Nepalese markets now. No onion shipments have been delivered since Sunday, and the remaining stocks were sold out by Monday, Binay Shrestha, Information Officer for the country's largest produce bazaar, was quoted as saying in the report. Shrestha said that onions cost Rs 54 per kg two week