Pune: Onion Farmers in Maharashtra Face Crisis as Prices Plummet Post Export Ban
Chakan, 10th January 2024: The ban on onion exports imposed by the central government a month ago has led to a significant drop in market prices, causing distress among onion farmers.
The market price of onions has fallen to Rs 18 to Rs 22 per kg, triggering concerns among farmers whose financial calculations heavily rely on onion yields. Farmers and traders in districts like Nashik, Pune, Ahmednagar, Solapur, and Dhule are demanding the immediate lifting of the export ban.
On December 7, the central government banned the export of onions after the new harvest, leading to a decline in market prices and impacting farmer incomes. The estimated loss to onion farmers in the state is reported to be around one and a half to two thousand crore rupees.
Various stakeholders, including market committees, traders, exporters, and related professionals, have been adversely affected by the export ban. The closure of auctions in some market committees has resulted in significant financial losses for farmers.
Despite the export ban, there is a demand for Indian onions from countries in the Gulf, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Dubai, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Singapore. Farmers and exporters are urging the central government to reconsider the ban on onion exports.
Chakan, known for producing durable and high-quality onions, has seen a decline in demand from exporting companies since the ban. Traders from various parts of the country, including Mumbai, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, typically visit Chakan to purchase onions for export. However, the ban has disrupted these trading activities, affecting the income of farmers in the region.
Kailas Limbhore, Chairman of the Khed Agricultural Produce Market Committee, emphasized the high demand for Chakan’s Rabi season ‘Garva’ onion in the export market. The ban has disrupted the usual influx of traders from Mumbai, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka to buy onions from Chakan, impacting the local market. Stakeholders are now urging a reconsideration of the ban to alleviate the adverse effects on onion farmers and the associated businesses in the region.
