India’s onion exports fell by 33 per cent in September as cheaper produce from Pakistan and China found favour in international markets.
'India's onion exports last month fell to 94,800 tonnes against 141,298 tonnes a year earlier, mainly due to exports by Pakistan and China,' a senior official with onion exporter Nafed told the Economic Times.
Demand for Pakistani and Chinese onions in overseas markets was high, with prices US$50 per tonne lower than Indian onions, which sold for US$350 per tonne last month, he said.
The Indian government recently increased the minimum export price (MEP) of onions by US$125 per tonne to US$350 per tonne. In September last year the MEP was just US$225 per tonne.
The official told the Economic Times that the MEP was hiked to increase domestic supplies and curb price rises at home.
Presently, onion prices in most retail markets in India are holding steady at US$0.6-0.65 per kg, with demand being met by stock kept in cold storage. The new season crop will start arriving from next month, he added.
