India permits 64,400 tonnes of onion exports to UAE, Bangladesh

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On 8 December last year, the government banned onion exports till 31 March this year to increase domestic availability and keep prices in check.

Earlier, the Centre in October 2023 had decided to step up the sale of buffer onion stock at a subsidised rate of Rs 25 per kg in retail markets in order to provide relief to consumers.

To control prices, the government has earlier taken several steps. It had imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 800 per tonne on onion exports on 28th October till 31st December, 2023.

In August, India had imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions up to 31st December, 2023.

Between 1 April, 2023 and 4 August, 2023 this fiscal year, 9.75 lakh tonnes of onions have been exported. Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the UAE are the top three importing countries in terms of value.

Onion is a politically sensitive commodity.

NCEL is a multi-state cooperative society. It is jointly promoted by some of the leading cooperative societies in the country, namely, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), popularly known as AMUL; Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO); Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO); and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).