Onion exports up 40 per cent in March

NEW DELHI: Onion exports increased to 1.35 lakh tonnes in March, nearly 40% higher than last year, despite the conflict in West Asia. Data also show that India’s onion shipments have become more diversified across markets, even though exports to Bangladesh, a major importer of Indian onions, have declined following import restrictions imposed by the neighbouring country.Officials said that other destinations have expanded their share, reinforcing diversification to Malaysia, Sri Lanka, UAE and other Gulf countries. “This diversification has helped maintain steady export off-take, even as individual destinations may see fluctuations,” said one of them.As per govt data, only 7% of the total export of 15.4 lakh tonnes onion in 2025-26 was destined for Bangladesh while in 2024-25, the eastern neighbour accounted for 46% of India’s entire shipment.

It also shows that last year, Malaysia accounted for the maximum share of 21% of the Indian onion exported compared to 13% in FY 25. UAE also recorded a higher share of export at 19% in FY26 compared to 11% in the previous year. Nearly 17% of the exports in FY26 went to Sri Lanka, the data show.On the domestic price front, officials said the recent moderation in prices is mainly due to increased market arrivals from the rabi crop, which is expected to be higher this year.“This price change is mainly due to higher arrival of new crop seasonality rather than any oversupply or export slowdown,” an official said.