The ban on onion exports was imposed due to tight global supplies and a dry spell induced by the El Niño weather phenomenon during the 2023-24 financial year
India has announced that it will allow the export of 10,000 tonnes of onion to Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the National Cooperatives Exports Cooperative, according to a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
This brings the total amount of onions approved for export to 99,160 tonnes, despite a ban on shipments imposed in December 2023. The government has recently approved an additional 10,000 tonnes of onion export to the UAE, in addition to the 14,400 tonnes allowed on 1 March. The ban on onion exports was imposed due to tight global supplies and a dry spell induced by the El Niño weather phenomenon during the 2023-24 financial year.
The government had banned the export of onions until 31 March 2024, but this has now been extended indefinitely. However, the DGFT notification stated that the export of onions would be allowed on permission granted by the central government based on requests made by other countries. With the rising onion prices, the central government has been releasing onions from its buffer stock.