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Farm produce

Export fresh onion

Big-volume fresh export to Asia and the Gulf. Policy swings with domestic prices — check DGFT and CBIC before every season.

Free to exportHS 0703.10
HS code
0703.10
Fresh or chilled onions and shallots. Dehydrated onion is 0712.20.
Export policy
Free to export
Free, with no export duty since 1 April 2025, when the 20% duty was withdrawn (PIB, 22 Mar 2025). Between Dec 2023 and Mar 2025 onion export was prohibited, then allowed with a minimum export price and duty. The government changes this quickly when prices rise — confirm on DGFT and CBIC before you sign.
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 430 mn
to 60 countries

What is exported

India is the world’s second-largest onion grower, with Maharashtra producing 44% of the crop. India exported 15.48 lakh tonnes of fresh onion worth US$ 397 million in 2025-26. Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Nepal, Bangladesh, Qatar and Kuwait were the main buyers. Most onion moves in 5–25 kg mesh or jute bags in ventilated or reefer containers, and by truck to Nepal and Bangladesh.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Nashik red (Agrifound Light Red, NHRDF Red)Pungent red onion, the bulk of Indian exports to Asia and the Gulf.
  • Bangalore Rose onionSmall, bright pink onion (GI) sold mainly for pickling in South-East Asia.
  • Krishnapuram onionAndhra rose-type onion; its export rules have differed from red onion in the past.
  • Yellow onion (Tana F1, Granex)Grown for European buyers who prefer milder yellow bulbs.
  • Shallots and dehydrated onionShallots share 0703 10; dehydrated flakes and powder are 0712 20.

Where it is grown or made

  • Maharashtra44% of output (2024-25): Nashik (Lasalgaon, Pimpalgaon), Pune, Ahmednagar, Solapur.
  • Madhya PradeshSecond-largest producer (about 14%).
  • KarnatakaBengaluru rural and Kolar (rose onion); Chitradurga.
  • GujaratBhavnagar and Mahuva — fresh onion and the main dehydration cluster.

Season

Two harvests: November–January and January–May (APEDA). Rabi onion stores best and carries exports through the summer and monsoon.

Export packing

  • Mesh (leno) bags of 5–25 kg, sorted by bulb size (for example 40–60 mm, 55 mm+).
  • Ventilated containers for nearby markets; reefers at controlled temperature for long voyages.

Who buys abroad

  • Wholesale importers in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Nepal and Bangladesh
  • Supermarket and food-service distributors in the Gulf
  • Pickle makers (rose onion)

The quality buyers ask for

Size
Graded by bulb diameter; bands such as 25–40 mm, 40–55 mm and 55 mm and above are common in trade
Type
Nashik red (rabi crop stores best), Bangalore Rose and Krishnapuram small onions, white onion
Condition
Firm, dry outer skin, tight neck, no sprouting, rot, black mould or bruising; limits per the buyer or AGMARK grading
Grading for export
DMI issues instructions for the Certificate of AGMARK Grading for onion exports
Residues
Pesticide residues within the destination MRLs (APEDA MRL database)

Certificates

  • APEDA RCMCRequiredRegistration with APEDA, issued as an RCMC on the DGFT portal. Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without it.
  • Phytosanitary certificateRequiredIssued by Plant Quarantine (DPPQS) for each consignment of plant produce, after inspection. Apply on PQMS.
  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
  • AGMARK grading certificateOften askedGrading by DMI-approved graders under the onion export instructions; check whether your buyer or the current DGFT condition asks for it.
  • GLOBALG.A.P.Often askedFarm-level good agricultural practice certification. Most European supermarket buyers of fresh produce ask for it.
  • HACCPOften askedA food-safety plan that identifies hazards at each processing step and controls them. Most importers ask for it from the processing unit.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Typically about 26–29 tonnes in a 40-ft container, in 5–25 kg mesh or jute bags.

How it travels

Sea freight to the Gulf and Southeast Asia; trucks and rail to Bangladesh and Nepal through land ports.

Storage

Reefers are typically set near 0–2 °C with low humidity and open vents for long voyages; short Gulf runs often use ventilated containers. Cure onions well before packing.

Shelf life

Rabi onion keeps for months in good storage; kharif onion only weeks.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Bulk bags and cartons: product and grade, crop year, lot number, net and gross weight, “Product of India”, exporter name and the buyer’s shipping marks, matching the invoice and packing list exactly.
  • Each bag should show size grade, variety, net weight, packing date, “Product of India” and the buyer’s marks.
  • Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and the importer’s details. Confirm the current rules with your importer.
Where to get it tested

Use a laboratory on APEDA’s list of recognised laboratories (apeda.gov.in → Quality → Recognised Organisations). For any other test, search the NABL directory (nabl-india.org) for a lab accredited for that test, or use an FSSAI-notified lab. Ask the buyer which lab reports they accept before you send samples.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • APEDARegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for APEDA-scheduled products. Apply on the DGFT portal after you have your IEC.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • Plant Quarantine (DPPQS)Phytosanitary certificate for each consignment of plant produce, applied for online on PQMS. Some markets also need the farm, packhouse or mill to be registered with Plant Quarantine.pqms.cgg.gov.in ↗
  • APEDA (HortiNet / onion)Farm and packhouse registration on HortiNet where the buyer country asks for traceability.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Phytosanitary certificate stating freedom from pests the buyer lists; some countries have added onion-specific quarantine conditions.
  • Pesticide residues against importer MRLs (APEDA has residue guidelines for onion).
  • Size grade, dry neck, no sprouting or black mould — checked at packing.
How to start small

Work with a packhouse near Lasalgaon or Nashik. Ship one 40-ft container to a Malaysia or Gulf buyer on advance payment, or a truck to Nepal. Quote short validity, because both the mandi price and the policy can move within a week. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27). Registrations that a law requires for the product still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • A sudden ban, minimum export price or duty while goods are on the way to the port — keep contracts short.
  • Loading onions that are not fully cured; they sweat and rot inside the container.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (4)
  1. APEDA — Fresh Onions profile (exports and destinations 2025-26)
  2. PIB — Centre withdraws 20% duty on onion export effective 1 April 2025 (22 Mar 2025)
  3. APEDA — HortiNet traceability (GrapeNet, AnarNet, MangoNet, VegNet)
  4. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian fresh onion exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 430 mn
+2.1% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -8.3%
US$ 469 mn → US$ 430 mn
Buyer countries
60
Average export price
US$ 0.27
per kg · 1.60 mn tonnes shipped · US$ 0.40 the year before
Malaysia: US$ 105 mnSri Lanka: US$ 81.3 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 69.6 mnNepal: US$ 27.8 mnBangladesh: US$ 25.8 mnQatar: US$ 17.2 mnKuwait: US$ 14.3 mnVietnam: US$ 14.1 mnSingapore: US$ 13.1 mnOman: US$ 11.8 mnPhilippines: US$ 10.2 mnIndonesia: US$ 6.3 mnBahrain: US$ 6.1 mnMauritius: US$ 5 mnThailand: US$ 4.6 mnMaldives: US$ 4.2 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 3.5 mnBhutan: US$ 1.3 mnItaly: US$ 1 mnChina: US$ 560kCanada: US$ 510kMalaysia: US$ 105 mnMalaysiaSri Lanka: US$ 81.3 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 69.6 mnUnited Arab EmiratesNepal: US$ 27.8 mnNepalBangladesh: US$ 25.8 mnBangladeshQatar: US$ 17.2 mnKuwait: US$ 14.3 mnVietnam: US$ 14.1 mnVietnamSingapore: US$ 13.1 mnOman: US$ 11.8 mnPhilippines: US$ 10.2 mnIndonesia: US$ 6.3 mnIndonesiaBahrain: US$ 6.1 mnMauritius: US$ 5 mnThailand: US$ 4.6 mnMaldives: US$ 4.2 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 3.5 mnBhutan: US$ 1.3 mnItaly: US$ 1 mnChina: US$ 560kCanada: US$ 510kIndia
Where Indian fresh onion goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 387 mn3872020-212021-22: US$ 475 mn4752021-222022-23: US$ 577 mn5772022-232023-24: US$ 500 mn5002023-242024-25: US$ 469 mn4692024-252025-26: US$ 430 mn4302025-26
India’s fresh onion exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2024-25, lowest in 2022-23 — a 77% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 0.24 per kg2021-22: US$ 0.30 per kg2022-23: US$ 0.23 per kg0.232024-25: US$ 0.40 per kg0.402025-26: US$ 0.27 per kg0.272020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian fresh onion · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 387 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 475 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 577 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 500 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 469 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 430 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 486 mn (US$ 395 mn – US$ 596 mn)4862026-272027-28: US$ 490 mn (US$ 390 mn – US$ 617 mn)4902027-28
India’s fresh onion exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 490 mn

Likely range US$ 390 mn to US$ 617 mn.

Trend
+1% a year
Fit (R²)
0.02 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1MalaysiaUS$ 105 mn+53.3%
2Sri LankaUS$ 81.3 mn+38.2%
3United Arab EmiratesUS$ 69.6 mn+28%
4NepalUS$ 27.8 mn+149.4%
5BangladeshUS$ 25.8 mn-87.4%
6QatarUS$ 17.2 mn+200.7%
7KuwaitUS$ 14.3 mn+28.4%
8VietnamUS$ 14.1 mn+113.3%
9SingaporeUS$ 13.1 mn+92.3%
10OmanUS$ 11.8 mn+71.7%
11PhilippinesUS$ 10.2 mn—
12IndonesiaUS$ 6.3 mn-17.8%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. ThailandUS$ 560k → US$ 4.6 mn+721.4%
  2. QatarUS$ 5.7 mn → US$ 17.2 mn+200.7%
  3. NepalUS$ 11.1 mn → US$ 27.8 mn+149.4%
  4. MauritiusUS$ 2.1 mn → US$ 5 mn+132.9%
  5. VietnamUS$ 6.6 mn → US$ 14.1 mn+113.3%
  6. SingaporeUS$ 6.8 mn → US$ 13.1 mn+92.3%
  7. OmanUS$ 6.9 mn → US$ 11.8 mn+71.7%
  8. MalaysiaUS$ 68.4 mn → US$ 105 mn+53.3%

Low demand

  1. BangladeshUS$ 205 mn → US$ 25.8 mn-87.4%
  2. MaldivesUS$ 7.2 mn → US$ 4.2 mn-41.1%
  3. IndonesiaUS$ 7.7 mn → US$ 6.3 mn-17.8%

New buyers: Countries that bought nothing from India in 2024-25 and did in 2025-26.

  • Philippines · US$ 10.2 mn

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Other onions fresh or chilled0703 10 19 · Vegetables, alliaceous, onions and shallots, fresh or chilledUS$ 380 mn-11.2%1.51 mn tonnesUS$ 0.25 per kgwas US$ 0.39
Vegetables, alliaceous, onions and shallots, fresh or chilled — shallots fresh or chilled0703 10 20US$ 32.5 mn+122.1%48,468 tonnesUS$ 0.67 per kgwas US$ 0.54
Rose onions fresh or chilled0703 10 11 · Vegetables, alliaceous, onions and shallots, fresh or chilledUS$ 17.7 mn-32.9%38,284 tonnesUS$ 0.46 per kgwas US$ 0.68

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 4.44 bn
2023
India among exporters
#3
of 129 countries
India’s share of world exports
12.3%
US$ 643 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 4.57 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1NetherlandsUS$ 1.18 bn 22.6%
  2. 2ChinaUS$ 651 mn 12.5%
  3. 3IndiaUS$ 643 mn 12.3%
  4. 4MexicoUS$ 441 mn 8.5%
  5. 5USAUS$ 299 mn 5.7%
  6. 6SpainUS$ 262 mn 5%
  7. 7EgyptUS$ 207 mn 4%
  8. 8PolandUS$ 148 mn 2.8%
  9. 9IranUS$ 108 mn 2.1%
  10. 10New ZealandUS$ 106 mn 2%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 494 mn 11.1%
  2. 2United KingdomUS$ 387 mn 8.7%
  3. 3GermanyUS$ 295 mn 6.6%
  4. 4MalaysiaUS$ 229 mn 5.1%
  5. 5NetherlandsUS$ 217 mn 4.9%
  6. 6CanadaUS$ 215 mn 4.8%
  7. 7United Arab EmiratesUS$ 135 mn 3%
  8. 8JapanUS$ 132 mn 3%
  9. 9FranceUS$ 129 mn 2.9%
  10. 10BelgiumUS$ 109 mn 2.5%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 521 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 521 mn
United KingdomUS$ 387 mnIndia 0.8% · gap US$ 383 mn
CanadaUS$ 291 mnIndia 0.6% · gap US$ 290 mn
MalaysiaUS$ 324 mnIndia 23.5% · gap US$ 248 mn
GermanyUS$ 247 mnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 247 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 194 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 194 mn
JapanUS$ 132 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 132 mn
FranceUS$ 129 mnIndia 2.6% · gap US$ 125 mn
SpainUS$ 84.7 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 84.7 mn
ItalyUS$ 71.4 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 71.4 mn

HS 070310 includes shallots. TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export fresh onion

India is one of the world’s biggest onion exporters, competing with China, the Netherlands, Egypt and Pakistan. Gulf countries, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Nepal buy Indian red onion for its pungency and keeping quality. The trade is shaped by policy: India has banned or taxed onion exports several times when home prices rose, so buyers value a supplier who can explain and plan around the rules. Openings include speciality types (Bangalore Rose, Krishnapuram) for Southeast Asia and dehydrated onion flakes and powder, which keep for a long time.

  1. 01Check today’s policy

    Onion export rules (bans, minimum export price, duty) change quickly. Read the latest DGFT notification before quoting.

  2. 02Agree size, type and bag

    Fix size band, variety, bag size and colour, and the inspection method in the contract.

  3. 03Buy cured onions

    Buy from Lasalgaon, Pimpalgaon or other markets, or from FPOs, only after the onions are cured and dry-necked.

  4. 04Grade and pack

    Grade by size, remove damaged bulbs, pack in mesh bags and weigh each bag.

  5. 05Inspect and certify

    Get plant quarantine inspection and the phytosanitary certificate; arrange AGMARK grading if needed.

  6. 06Load and ship fast

    Stuff with ventilation, file the shipping bill, and ship without delay — every day in the yard costs quality.

  7. 07Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting fresh onion

Is onion export allowed right now?
Onion has been Free with no export duty since 1 April 2025. It has been banned and taxed before, so check DGFT before each deal.
Which crop should I export?
Rabi (summer-harvested) onion stores and travels best. Kharif onion is for nearby markets and quick sale.
Why do onions rot in the container?
Poor curing, wet bags, heat and no ventilation. Cure well, pack dry, and keep vents open.
Do I need a reefer?
Not always. Short voyages to the Gulf often go in ventilated containers; longer voyages to Malaysia or Europe are safer in reefers.
Is dehydrated onion easier to export?
It keeps far longer and goes to food makers worldwide, but needs an FSSAI-licensed processing unit, microbial testing and usually HACCP or BRCGS.
Sources (5)
  1. APEDA — Fresh Onions profile
  2. PIB — 20% duty on onion export withdrawn from 1 April 2025 (22 Mar 2025)
  3. Directorate of Marketing & Inspection — AGMARK grade standards (commodity-wise rules)
  4. APEDA — International Pesticide MRL Database
  5. APEDA — Recognised organisations (list of recognised laboratories, FSMS bodies)

Who buys Indian fresh onion

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