Onion exports have risen by over 17 per cent to 12.95 lakh tonnes during April-December this fiscal, but shipments in the coming months are expected to slow down as local prices have begun to rise.

 

The country had exported 11 lakh tonnes in the same period last year, the Nashik-based National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) said.

 

“So far, onion exports have been better than last year.

 

However, the pace has come down as domestic prices have risen making the agricultural commodity less competitive in the international market,” NHRDF Director R.P. Gupta told PTI.

 

The rise in domestic prices by Rs 2-3 per kg to Rs 14-15 per kg in the growing regions in anticipation of a drop in output this year, has reduced the export margins, he said, adding that shipments during January and February are seen lower.

 

Onions are exported mainly to Gulf nations and South-east Asia countries especially Indonesia and Malaysia.

 

Allaying fears of a fall in onion production in the 2012-13 crop year (July-June), Gupta said: “Total onion production is expected to be the same as at last year’s level of 174 lakh tonnes despite 10 per cent decline in acreage.’’