Govt levies $800/tonne MEP on onion till Dec 31

TO DISCOURAGE EXPORTS and improve domestic supplies, the government on Saturday imposed a minimum export price (MEP) of $800 a tonne on onion

- SANDIP DAS

The MEP for all varieties of onion except Bangalore Rose and Krishnapuram varieties cut and sliced or broken in powder form will be valid till December 31, the ministry of commerce and industry said in a notification.

The move follows the imposition of a 40% export duty on onions in August.

"The measure has been taken to maintain sufficient availability of onion to domestic consumers at affordable prices as the quantity of stored rabi 2023 onion is declining by curbing the quantity of onion exports," according to a statement by the department of consumer affairs.

Officials told FE that the move is a virtual ban on onion exports as the MEP of $800/tonne, which translates into ₹67/kg, is above the prevailing retail prices.

Sources said despite the imposition of 40% export duty on kitchen bulbs in August, shipments were not seeing any slowdown.