The government has authorized the export of 64,400 tonnes of onion to the UAE and Bangladesh via the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL), as per notifications from the commerce ministry.
Of this quantity, 50,000 tonnes of onion is allowed to be exported to Bangladesh, while 14,400 tonnes can be shipped to the UAE.
“The export of 14,400 tonnes of onions, with a quarterly ceiling of 3,600 MT (metric tonnes), to the UAE through NCEL is notified,” stated the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) in a notification. DGFT, a division of the commerce ministry, oversees import and export regulations.
Regarding exports to Bangladesh, the modalities will be determined by the NCEL in collaboration with the department of consumer affairs. Although onion exports are currently restricted, the government permits specified quantities to friendly nations upon request.
On December 8 last year, the government imposed a ban on onion exports until March 31 this year to boost domestic availability and stabilize prices.
Previously, in October 2023, the Centre had decided to increase the sale of buffer onion stock at a subsidized rate of Rs 25 per kg in retail markets to alleviate consumer burdens.
Various measures have been taken by the government to control onion prices, including imposing a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 800 per tonne from October 28 to December 31, 2023, and imposing a 40% export duty on onions until December 31, 2023, announced in August.
Between April 1, 2023, and August 4, 2023, a total of 9.75 lakh tonnes of onions were exported from India, with the top importing countries being Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the UAE.
NCEL is a multi-state cooperative society established jointly by prominent cooperative societies in the country, including Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO), and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).
