| Date: |
26-05-2015 |
| Subject: |
Onion exports drop due to MEP hike, crop delay |
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NASHIK: The export of onions from the country has declined by 23% in the first 11 months (April-February) of 2014-15, compared to the corresponding period previous year due to delayed kharif crop, increase in minimum export price (MEP) and bringing onions under the Essential Commodities Act.
"The country exported 9.7 lakh tonnes of onions in the 11 months ending on February 28, 2015, against 12.58 lakh tonnes during the corresponding period previous year. The export figure for the whole of 2014-15 is expected to reach 10.5 lakh tonnes," sources from the National Agriculture Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) said,
A senior NAFED official told TOI, "The policies the central government had adopted considering the possibility of onion scarcity and rise in prices had led to decline in export. The MEP, which was increased to bring the domestic prices under control, was higher, compared to other exporting countries like Pakistan and China. Moreover, making onion an essential commodity put restrictions on traders and farmers from storing it. The kharif season was also delayed by two months due to the delayed monsoon last year. All this led to decline in exports."
Nashik district contributes 80% of the country's total onion export. The summer crop, which is harvested during March-April and cater to the market until the arrival of the kharif crop by October, had been badly damaged due to hailstorm and unseasonal rains last year. Only 20% of onion production in the district was of export quality and its shelf life had also reduced due to hails and rains. This was the major reason for decline in export. Besides, the MEP on onion was increased to $500 a tonne in July and to $300 a tonne in August last year.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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