Onion Exports

How the humble onion retains its political hegemony when it acts pricey

The onion can sometimes unpeel the political careers of even the most battle-hardened leaders

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

India exported 260,000 tonnes of onion in Apr-July: MoS Verma in Lok Sabha

India exported 2.6 lakh tonne of onions till July of this fiscal year, the government said on Wednesday. "Government has lifted the onion prohibition from 4th May, 2024 and allowed the export with minimum export price of (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne and export duty of 40 per cent. "Till 31st July, 2024, a total quantity of 2.60 lakh tonne of onion had been exported in current financial year 2024-25," Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs B L Verma said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. India had exported 16.07 lakh tonne of onions in the last fiscal. Further, he said the government had procured 4.68 lakh tonne, majorly from Maharashtra, through NCCF and NAFED for the price stabilisation buffer. "In comparison with last year (2023), the price realisation by onion farmers in current year has been much higher. The average monthly mandi modal prices of onion in Maharashtra between April and July, 2024 were in the range of Rs 1,230 to Rs 2,578 per quintal as against Rs 693 to Rs

Govt buys onions at 74% higher prices in Maharashtra ahead of state polls

In 2023, the average rate at which the Centre procured onions from Maharashtra was Rs 16.93 per kg. This year, it is procuring at around Rs 29.5 per kg via direct benefit transfer

Onion prices rise 30-50% in 14 days due to high demand ahead of Bakri Eid

Traders have started hoarding stocks in anticipation that the government may relax its measures to control prices

Govt plans large scale radiation processing of onions to prevent shortages

The world's biggest exporter of onions is expected to see output fall by 16 per cent in 2023-24 amid lower yields

India exports over 45,000 tonnes onion after lifting ban, says official

India has exported more than 45,000 tonnes of onion since the ban on outbound shipments was lifted early this month, a top government official said on Wednesday. These exports provided relief to farmers after curbs were imposed to keep domestic supplies steady ahead of general elections. The world's biggest vegetable exporter banned exports of the bulb last December and then extended it in March, after a rise in prices triggered by sluggish production. "Since the ban was lifted, more than 45,000 tonnes of onions have been exported, mostly to the Middle East and Bangladesh," Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Consumer Affairs Ministry, told PTI. To keep onion prices affordable during the election period, the government on May 4 lifted the ban but imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne. Khare said the forecast of a good monsoon this year will ensure better sowing of kharif (summer) crops, including onion from June onwards. State-owned agencies have started procuring o

A veg thali cost 8% more in April this year than a year ago: CRISIL

Non-veg thali becomes cheaper; pricier onion, tomato and potato push up price of veg thali

ECI's nod taken before lifting ban on onion exports amid MCC: Report

The Centre has taken permission from the Election Commission to lift the ban on exports of onion in view of the ongoing implementation of the Model Code of Conduct due to the Lok Sabha elections, sources said. According to government sources, the Department of Revenue under the finance ministry took the permission from the Election Commission to lift the ban on onion exports, subject to conditions of 40 per cent export duty, and also a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne. The government on Saturday lifted the ban on onion exports, a decision that can help boost income of a large section of farmers and comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in key producing regions including Maharashtra. The government has imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne (around Rs 46 per kg) as well as 40 per cent export duty. Taking duty into account, the shipments will not be allowed below USD 770 per tonne (around Rs 64 per kg). The decision to lift the ban on exports of onion w

Govt lifts ban on onion exports, sets floor price with 40% export duty

The export ban was imposed by the world's biggest exporter of the vegetable last December and then extended in March

Govt lifts ban on onion exports; imposes min export price of $550 per tonne

The government on Saturday lifted the ban on onion exports but imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tonne. The decision assumes significance as the commodity is politically sensitive and general elections are going on in the country. "The export policy of onions is amended from prohibited to free subject to MEP of USD 550 per metric ton with immediate effect and until further orders," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification. Last night, the government imposed a 40 per cent duty on the export of onions. 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.

Centre to purchase 1,650 tonnes of onions for exports to Bangladesh

India had imposed an export ban on onions between December 31 to March 31, amid surging domestic prices; however, permitted the export of 64,400 tonnes to UAE and Bangladesh, earlier this month

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

Govt permits 64,400 tonnes of onion exports to UAE, Bangladesh via NCEL

The government has permitted exports of 64,400 tonnes of onion to the UAE and Bangladesh through the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL), according to notifications of the commerce ministry. While export of 50,000 tonnes of onion is permitted to Bangladesh, shipments of 14,400 tonnes were allowed to the UAE. "Export of 14,400 tonnes of onions, with a quantity ceiling of 3,600 MT (metric tonnes) quarterly, to UAE through NCEL is notified," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification. DGFT is an arm of the commerce ministry, which deals with norms related to imports and exports. For exports to Bangladesh, it said that the modalities for the exports will be worked out by the NCEL in consultation with the department of consumer affairs. Though onion exports are banned, the government allows specified quantities to friendly nations. The exports are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries based on their request. On

Govt allows onion exports to Bangladesh, Mauritius, Bahrain and Bhutan

Consumer Affairs Secretary said the decision has been taken following a recommendation from the external affairs ministry

Onion export ban to continue till Mar 31 to keep prices under check: Govt

The ban on export of onion will continue till its previously announced deadline of March 31 as the government is keen to keep prices under check and ensure domestic availability, a top official said on Tuesday. On December 8, 2023, the government had banned export of onion till March 31. "Ban on onion exports has not been lifted. It is in force and there is no change in the status," Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told PTI. The government's supreme priority is to ensure enough domestic availability of onion at reasonable prices to consumers, he added. On reports of 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 Lasalgoan, the country's largest wholesale onion market, from Rs 1,280 per quintal on February 17. Ahead of general elections, the ban is unlikely to be lifted even after March 31 as rabi (winter) onion production is expected to be lower due to less coverage of area .

Govt procures 25,000 tonnes of kharif onion so far for buffer stock

The Centre has so far procured 25,000 tonnes of onion grown in the 2023 kharif season for maintaining a buffer stock, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said on Monday. The government is procuring onion to maintain a buffer stock and use it for market intervention to boost domestic availability and keep prices in check. The government has raised the buffer stock target to 7 lakh tonnes for the 2023-24 fiscal, against the actual stock of 3 lakh tonnes last year. According to the Secretary, the government had procured 5 lakh tonnes from last year's rabi season and is purchasing 2 lakh tonnes of kharif onion as the buffer stock target has been raised. "About 25,000 tonnes of kharif onion has so far been procured from mandis. The procurement is underway," he told PTI. Of the 5 lakh tonnes of rabi onion lying in the buffer stock, the government has offloaded 3.04 lakh tonnes of onion through cooperative Nafed and NCCF in the market to check prices. As a result, the all-India

Onion in a pickle, again: Here's why the humble bulb remains so volatile

Long-term solutions such as increasing the shelf life through irradiation technologies and converting fresh onions into pro­cessed flakes are available but have not been pursued with rigour: Experts