The Indian government on Saturday said it has allowed exports of 99,150 tons of onions, mainly sourced from Maharashtra, to Bangladesh and five other countries despite the ban on shipments.
On December 8, 2023, India banned the export of onions.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said the government has "allowed export of 99,150 tons of onion to six neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka."
The export prohibition has been imposed to ensure adequate domestic availability against the backdrop of estimated lower crop yields in 2023-24 compared to the previous year.
The ban was imposed amid an increase in demand in the international market, it added.
The onion market became volatile after the Indian authorities imposed a ban on onion exports.
On March 1, India had announced that it would export 50,000 tons of onions to Bangladesh.
Notably, onion prices have risen significantly this year compared to previous years.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, consumer prices reached Tk120 per kg on March 1, up from Tk35 on the same date last year.
