Onion exports triple over FY16 after govt sales push

Onion exports have almost tripled in 2016-17 following the government’s decision to push sales of the vegetable overseas at higher prices.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (Apeda) estimates onion exports at 2.39 million tonnes in April-December 2016. Ajit Shah, president of the Horticulture Exporters Association, said 150,000-200,000 tonnes were exported every month thereafter, taking overall onion exports to a record 3 million tonnes in 2016-17.

“The Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) was initiated when onion prices were Rs 2-2.5-a kg in the Lasalgaon mandi in Maharashtra. Farmers were not harvesting onion at that price. The