Government completely liberalises onion exports

NEW DELHI: The government today completely liberalised onion exports, allowing shipments without the bar of a minimum export price, a move which would further boost exports of the vegetable.

Earlier, onion exports were allowed without Minimum Export Price (MEP) till July 2.

"Export of onions is allowed without any MEP," a notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said here.

According to experts, the decision would help in protecting farmers' interest.

India's onion exports rose by 15 per cent in last fiscal at 15.48 lakh tonnes against 13.40 lakh tonnes in the previous year on higher production, which increased to 157.48 lakh tonnes from 151.17 lakh tonnes.

Onion prices are currently ruling about Rs 15 per kg in the retail markets.