India lifts ban on onion export

Indian government has lifted the ban on onion export imposed in December last year considering internal demand of onion and inflation.

This information was confirmed in a notification issued from India’s central organization for the control of foreign trade Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on Saturday (May 4).

This decision has mainly been taken to give relief to the traders in Maharashtra ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

India’s Director General of Foreign Trade has fixed the export price of onion at $550 per tonne.

Onion farmers and traders in India, especially in Maharashtra, have long been demanding the lifting of the ban on onion exports. Because they suffer only after banning exports.

In December last year, the Indian government restricted the export of onions till March 31, 2024.

After nearly five months of the export ban, on February 26, India decided to give an exemption for Bangladesh, as well as five other countries, from its ban export of onions, up to a certain amount.

Last month, the export ban on onion was extended till further orders.

(With inputs from agencies)