India's onion availability is strong across key growing regions such as Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune, Jalgaon in Maharashtra, along with Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka, says Mr. Pravin Changdevrao Wankhade of fresh produce exporter Universe Exports. "Consistent harvesting and smooth supply chains, supported by government buffer stocks and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India's monitoring, have maintained price stability and ensured steady exports."
According to Wankhade, "Light Red Onions now dominate the export market due to their longer shelf life. Nashik's Red onions are especially preferred internationally because of their light-flavored pungency, which is more acceptable in Middle Eastern markets compared to Pakistani and Egyptian onions. The Bellary Rose Onion is favored by South Indian ethnic communities for their use in sambar recipes and is also popular among hotels and restaurants for whole use in salads."
Wankhade shares that this year's production is higher due to favorable weather, leading to better bulb formation and uniform color. "The overall quality has improved with the onions offering compactness, less moisture, and longer shelf life. Lower spoilage rates benefit both domestic and export traders," he notes.
© Universe Exports
The red onion export season will last from October to April, peaking from December to February. Wankhade mentions that some regions faced unseasonal rains, causing delays and slightly increased logistics costs, but supply has now stabilized, and the market sentiment remains positive.
Wankhade highlights that Dubai continues to represent a key market, with Indian red onions accounting for roughly 70% of the share: "Demand is steady all year, supported by expatriate communities who prefer Indian red onions. Other destinations include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Farm gate prices for export-quality red onions currently range from USD 0.2 to 0.25 per kg, while FOB prices average USD 350 to 420 per metric ton, reflecting steady global demand," he explains.
In the future, exporters will be pursuing new markets in Europe, East Africa, and East Asia. "Pilot consignments of Indian onions have already been sent to countries like the Netherlands, the UK, and Singapore, focusing on both retail and ethnic food sectors. Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are also being evaluated as potential new destinations, leveraging India's competitive pricing advantage."
Looking ahead, Wankhade anticipates domestic retail prices to stay around USD 0.28 to 0.34 per kg, with strong export volumes continuing until March 2026. "If weather remains favorable and export policies stay open, India could exceed last year's exports of 1.15 million tonnes," Wankhade concludes.
For more information:
Pravin Changdevrao Wankhade
Universe Exports
Tel: +91 90115 51393
Email: [email protected]
