India has exported more than 45,000 tonnes of onions since the ban on onion exports was lifted in early May 2024. A top government official gave this information on Wednesday. The world’s largest vegetable exporter had banned onion exports in December last year and then extended it in March after prices rose due to sluggish production. According to Bhasha news, Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, said that more than 45,000 tonnes of onions have been exported since the ban was lifted.
The ban was lifted on May 4
According to reports, most of the onions were exported to West Asia and Bangladesh. The government lifted the ban on May 4 to keep onion prices low during the elections. However, a minimum export price (MEP) of US $ 550 per tonne was imposed. Khare said the forecast of a good monsoon this year will ensure better sowing of kharif (summer) crops, including onions, from June. He said public sector agencies have started procuring onions from the recent rabi (winter) crop to keep a buffer stock of 5,00,000 tonnes targeted for the current year.
What is the estimate regarding onion production
According to preliminary estimates by the Agriculture Ministry, the country’s onion production is expected to decline by 16 percent year-on-year to 25.4 million tonnes in crop year 2023-24 due to lower production in major producing regions like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Onion production is highest in India in Maharashtra. A few months ago the price of onion started touching the sky. It was then told that due to weather related reasons, there was a delay in sowing of Kharif onion due to which the area under its cultivation reduced and the crop arrived late.
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