India has successfully exported over 45,000 tonnes of onions since the recent lift on the ban of outbound shipments earlier this month. This move comes as a sigh of relief for farmers, particularly following the restrictions imposed to stabilize domestic onion supplies leading up to general elections.
Renowned as the world's largest vegetable exporter, India had initially imposed a ban on onion exports last December, which was subsequently extended in March due to soaring prices caused by a decline in production.
The resumption of onion exports not only alleviates pressure on domestic markets but also signifies a positive turn for farmers who rely heavily on the crop for their livelihoods.
In a bid to maintain affordable onion prices during the election period, the government lifted the ban on exports on May 4 but enforced a minimum export price (MEP) of $550 per tonne.
In the future, the country anticipates a 16% decline in onion production from the previous year, with an estimated output of 25.47 million tonnes during the 2023-24 crop year. This decrease is attributed to reduced output in key growing regions such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, as per the Agriculture Ministry's initial estimates.
