ONION EXPORT

INTRODUCTION:
Earlier the onion export was restricted by the Govt. of India (GOI) and controlled through single canalizing agency & therefore the export was not reached to its potential. Due to increase in production of onion in the country, there was continuous demand by major onion producing states in the country led by Maharashtra for decontrol of exports. Considering this demand, the Govt. of India has removed all the quantity restrictions on onion export from 09/05/2003. However the 'No Objection Certificate' is made continuous for onion export shipments. This resulted into increase in annual export of onions from the country almost two fold that is from 5.00 lakh MT to 9.00 lakh MT. Presently the major markets for Indian onion are limited to SAARC region, and few countries from Far East and Middle East. Onion exports to Europe, America and Africa are almost non-existent, though many countries in these regions have large requirements.

CANALIZATION:
Until 1998 onion exports from the country was canalized through the National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). In the year 1998 the Govt. of India felt that only Nafed was not sufficient to work as a canalizing agency & then the Govt. of India has appointed other 12 canalizing agencies (except NAFED) for onion export which are as follows - 1. Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board, Pune (MSAMB)
2. Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation, Ahmedabad (GAIC)
3. Karnataka State Co-operative Marketing Federation Ltd., Bangalore (KSCMF)
4. Andhra Pradesh State Trading Corporation Ltd., Hyderabad (APSTCL)
5. National Co-operative Consumers Federation Of India Ltd., New Delhi (NCCF)
6. Spices Trading Corporation Ltd., Bangalore (STCL)
7. North Karnataka Onion Growers Co-operative Society Ltd., Hubli (NKOGCS)
8. Madhya Pradesh Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd., Bhopal (MPAIDC)
9. Andhra Pradesh State Co-op Marketing Federation Ltd., Hyderabad (APfed)
10.Madhya Pradesh State Co-op Oilseed Growers Federation Ltd., Bhopal (MPOGF) 11.Karnataka Agricultural Produce Processing And Export Corporation Ltd., Bangalore 12.West Bengal State Essential Commodities Supplies Corporation Ltd.,Kolkata (WBSECS)

The onion export from India is through the above canalizing agencies directly or through their registered associate shippers.

MSAMB AS A CANALIZING AGENCY -
The Govt. of India vide its notification no.41 dated 17/02/1999 authorized the Govt. of Maharashtra (GOM) to designate a canalizing agency for onion export from Maharashtra state. As per this notification the Govt. of Maharashtra has designated MSAMB, Pune as 'Canalizing Agency' for export of onion. The MSAMB is issuing No Objection Certificates to the registered onion exporters as per the guidelines of GOI from its Pune and Mumbai offices. Now while issuing the NOCs, the MSAMB is entitled to collect service charges from exporters @ 1% of Invoice value. While applying for NOC, the associate shippers have to submit the original documents including Cover application, Invoice copy, Bank L/C or FIRC copy, Demand Draft of service charges drawn in favor of 'MSAMB Pune'. Fax copies of documents are not accepted by the MSAMB.

GUIDELINES FOR EXPORT OF ONIONS: The detail Guidelines are available in the download option of this web site.

ONION EXPORTS IN THE LAST 5 YEARS: The information of the onion export from India  & export value in the last 5 years is given below.

ONION PRODUCTION: Statement Showing Statewise Area, Production and Productivity of Onion (year 2009-2010)

Data Source:
DIRECTORATE OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS,NEW DELHI (1974-75 to 1999-00)
NHRDF, Nashik (Estimates -From 2000-01 to till date)

Onion varieties grown in Maharashtra

Onion production Seasons (in Maharashtra)

Onion produced in summer (Rabi season) is suitable for export. About 50% to 60 % of onion produced in the State is of export quality.

Quality requirements for Export of Onion.