Central Govt Lifts Ban on Onion Export

New Delhi: The Union government on Saturday lifted the ban on onion exports.

But the government also imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 550 per tone for the onion export.

“The export policy of onions is amended from prohibited to free subject to MEP of USD 550 per metric ton with immediate effect and until further orders,” the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

On Friday night, the government imposed a 40 per cent duty on export of onions.

In August 2023, India had imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions till December 31, 2023.

On December 8, 2023, export of onions was banned by the government banned export of onions. In March, the export prohibition was extended till further orders.

Farmers in Maharashtra had protested against the export ban.

In March, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution allowed export of 99,150 tonnes of onion to Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.