India Bans Onion Exports As Prices Treble in a Month After Rainfall Hits Crops

Mumbai, 15-Sep-2020

India on Monday prohibited exports of onion, the government said in a notification, as prices trebled in a month after excessive rainfall hit crops in southern states. The export of all varieties of onion was prohibited with the immediate effect, the government said. India is the world�s biggest exporter of onions, a staple of South Asian cooking. Countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia and Sri Lanka rely on Indian shipments. Wholesale prices in India�s largest onion trading hub, Lasalgaon in the western state of Maharashtra, have nearly trebled in a month to 30,000 rupees ($408.52) per tonne. Excessive rainfall in India�s southern states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh has damaged summer-sown crop and delayed harvesting in other states, said Ajit Shah, president of the Mumbai-based Onion Exporters� Association.