Question : Ban on Export of Onion

(a) whether India has banned the export of onion due to soaring prices in the country;

(b) if so, whether there has been any adverse impact of export on its prices in the domestic market and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether onion producing farmers across the country, particularly in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are being affected adversely due to ban on export of onion and have submitted a written representation to the Union Minister to remove the ban;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government in this regard;

(e) whether the ban on export of onion has adversely affected the India’s economy being the largest exporter of onion and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether the Government proposes to devise a policy in the near future in this regard so that domestic consumers and farmers are not affected by this kind of ban, if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a): Yes Sir, Government of India has prohibited export of onion vide notification No. 21/2015-2020 dated 29th September, 2019 till further orders.

(b): There has been no adverse impact of banning of export of onion in domestic market rather it serves the purpose of giving a signal to stabilize market prices.

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(c) & (d): No representation of onion farmers of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh has been received.

However, representations were received from Karnataka to allow export of Bangalore Rose variety of onion. Government of India allowed export of Bangalore Rose Onion upto 9,000 MT through Chennai Port till 30th November, 2019 vide notification No. 27/2015-2022 dated 28th October, 2019.

(e): The ban on export of onions has been imposed in view of the prevailing adverse domestic availability and price situation. Onions form only a small part of India’s export basket and no adverse effect on India’s economy is expected.

(f): The Agriculture Export Policy, brought out by the Government in December 2018, aims at a stable trade policy for agricultural products and provides an assurance that export restrictions will be imposed only on the commodities essential for food security, under extreme price situation, based on the decision of a high-level committee.


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