New Delhi: In a bid to ensure ample domestic availability amidst lower crop estimates and heightened international demand, the government has sanctioned onion export of 99,150 metric tons (MT) to six neighboring countries including Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.
The National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), designated for onion exports to these nations, will procure domestic onions through an e-platform at competitive prices and deliver them to nominated agencies of the destination countries on a 100% advance payment basis. Maharashtra, as the leading onion producer in the nation, remains a primary supplier for NCEL’s export operations.
Additionally, the government has greenlit the export of 2000 MT of white onions, primarily cultivated for Middle Eastern and select European markets. Production costs for white onions are higher due to increased seed expenses, adherence to good agricultural practices (GAP), and compliance with stringent maximum residue limits (MRL) requirements.
To bolster onion buffer stocks, the Department of Consumer Affairs has set a procurement target of 5 lakh tons from the Rabi-2024 harvest under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF). Central agencies such as NCCF and NAFED are collaborating with local entities like FPOs/FPCs/PACs to facilitate procurement, storage, and farmer registration.
Efforts to minimize storage losses include scaling up onion irradiation and cold storage capacities from 1200 MT to over 5000 MT this year, with technical support from BARC, Mumbai. A pilot initiative from the previous year showcased a storage loss reduction to less than 10 percent, prompting the expansion of these measures.
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