Onion Export Ban May Be Extended To February To Control Domestic Prices

The current ban imposed on onion exports may be extended to February 2020 to curb the rise in domestic prices, a Reuters report said quoting an unnamed government official.

Onion prices have surged post the harvest of summer-sown crops when supplies were damaged or delayed by untimely rains.

Despite the ban on exports implemented in September after rains and floods limited the supplies, especially in the state of Maharashtra, the largest producers of onions in the country, retail prices have been hovering between Rs 50 to Rs 100 per kg in the last two months across the country.

A PTI report quoting a senior government official said that private traders have placed their import orders and at least 1,000 tonnes of onions are expected to enter the country by the end of the month and another by next month.

Their shipments should also be smooth considering the liberalisation of phytosanitary and fumigation norms by the government on import of onion till the end of December.

The government has been taking steps to ease the prices, including the decision to import 1 lakh tonnes of onion through state-run MMTC, which has already invited bids for import of 4,000 tonnes. The ban on exports is expected to remain until prices on onions come down to a comfortable level.