India to export onions to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, 3 other countries

The Centre has authorised the export of 99,150 metric tonnes (MT) of onions to Bangladesh, the UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.

The National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) will be responsible to source the onions, through an online platform and ensure they reach designated agencies in the recipient countries. Export prices will consider prevailing market rates in both India and the destination countries. The quotas for each nation will be fulfilled based on their specific requests.

Maharashtra, India's leading onion producer, will be the primary source for these exports.

Additionally, the government has approved the export of 2,000 MT of white onion, a special variety cultivated for export markets, particularly in the Middle East and Europe.

To ensure domestic price stability, the government has set a procurement target of 500,000 MT of onions for the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) buffer. Central agencies are collaborating with local farmer organizations to facilitate procurement and storage.

Furthermore, the Department of Consumer Affairs is implementing measures to minimize storage losses. This year, over 5,000 MT of onions will be irradiated and cold-stored, a significant increase from the previous year's pilot program. This initiative, supported by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai, aims to reduce storage losses below 10 per cent.