Centre bans onion exports till March 2024

India has imposed a ban on exports of onions until March 31, 2024, according to a government order issued late on Thursday.

India had previously imposed a minimum export price of $800 per metric ton, until Dec. 31, 2023, to discourage exports, in an effort to curb surging local prices.

"Export policy of onions... is amended from free to prohibited till March 31, 2024," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. Local vendors in the national capital are selling onions at Rs 70-Rs 80 per kg. 

 Earlier, the Centre in October had decided to step up the sale of buffer onion stock at a subsidised rate of Rs 25 per kg in retail markets in order to provide relief to consumers.

In August, India had imposed a 40 per cent export duty on onions up to December 31. The DGFT also said that the exports of onion, however, will be allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries based on their request.

(With inputs from PTI)