40% Export Duty on Onion Exports Till Dec 31, Onion Buffer Stock Increased to 5 Lakh Tonne

New Delhi: To check the fast-rising price of onion in the market, the Union government imposed a 40% export duty on onion exports till December 31.

The announcement was made through a notification on Saturday with the directive that it shall come into force with immediate effect.

The prices of most vegetables including onion, potato and tomatoes have soared in last few weeks.

The government also increased the amount of onion buffer to 5 lakh metric tonnes this year. The initial procurement target was 3 lakh tonnes.

The Department of Consumer Affairs directed NCCF and NAFED to procure 1 lakh tonne onion each to achieve the additional procurement target.

Disposal of onions from the buffer has started in places where retail prices are above the all-India average.