India allows export of onions to Bangladesh on limited scale

DE Online Desk:
India has allowed exports of onions on government-to-government basis to some countries, including Bangladesh, on the recommendation of its Ministry of External Affairs.
One of the persons aware of the matter said a limited quantity of onion exports has been allowed for bilateral purposes though no decision has been taken on lifting a complete ban on onion exports. Details of the exporting agency could not be ascertained, reports the Economic Times on Monday.
The government has permitted exports of onions in limited quantities to five other countries — Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bahrain, Bhutan and Nepal, the daily added.
India, the world’s second largest onion exporter, had banned shipments of the kitchen staple in December 2023 till March 2024 due to rising domestic prices and potential shortages. This led to a surge in onion prices in neighbouring countries.
As onion prices started to rise in August 2023, the finance ministry imposed a 40 per cent export duty to curtail shipments. However, it failed to have the desired effect due to under invoicing, prompting the government to impose a minimum export price of $800 per tonne on onions effective October 28.
In early February, a team of central government officials visited the onion growing regions of Maharashtra. The team was expected to make a recommendation to the government on the export ban.
Meanwhile, some large exporters wrote to the government on Sunday, suggesting that instead of completely banning onion exports, the government should permit outward shipments on a restricted basis, adding that any major export volume can lead to a significant price rise in the domestic market.