New Delhi, Dec 8 – Responding to the need for stabilizing domestic onion prices, the Indian government has taken decisive action by prohibiting onion exports until March 31, 2024. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) made the announcement through a notification, stating that the export policy for onions has been amended from free to prohibited during this period.
Export Prohibition with Exceptions:
While the ban is in effect, the DGFT clarified that onion exports may still be allowed based on specific permissions granted by the government to other countries upon their request. Additionally, shipments of onions that had already commenced loading before the issuance of this notification are permitted to be exported.
Special Considerations:
In cases where shipping bills have been filed, and vessels have already berthed and anchored in Indian ports for loading onions, with rotation numbers allocated before this notification, these shipments are also exempted from the export ban.
Previous Measures to Control Prices:
This move follows the government’s earlier imposition of a minimum export price of $800 per metric tonne, which was effective until December 31, 2023. The aim of these measures is to discourage exports and mitigate the impact of soaring onion prices in the domestic market.
As the government takes proactive steps to ensure the availability and affordability of onions within the country, this export ban signifies a strategic effort to manage the onion market and prevent potential price escalation.
