In a move that has stirred both anticipation and controversy, the Union government has partially relaxed the indefinite ban on onion exports, greenlighting the immediate export of 2,000 tonnes of white onions. The decision announced on 25 March 2024, has brought relief to Gujarat, the leading producer and exporter of white onions in the country.
Gujarat's districts of Bhavnagar and Amreli, contribute significantly to the white onion production through three specified ports in Gujarat and Mumbai, a strategic move to streamline the process.
A notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) outlines that exports of white onions will only be permitted upon certification from Gujarat’s Horticulture Commissioner, ensuring both quality and quantity standards are met.
The horticulture exporters have said to reach out to the Commerce Ministry and the DGFT seeking clarity on potential relaxation for white onion exports. Reports of ongoing procurement of export-quality white onions at Gujarat’s Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) added urgency to their inquiries.
This decision has sparked dissent among onion farmers in Nashik and neighboring regions. They perceive this as a classic political maneuver amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Farmers argue that such decisions disproportionately benefit Gujarat, neglecting the interests of onion producers in other states, especially those producing red onions. Farmers from Maharashtra, known for their cultivation of red onions, express frustration.
