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India exports onion to Maldives!


Published : 11 Nov 2019 07:33 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 10:58 AM

Despite India’s imposing ban on onion export, for which Bangladesh has been witnessing a tumultuous situation for more than one month, now India has decided to export onion to the Maldives. In Bangladesh, onion is being sold at Tk 160 per kg in the retail market showing no sign of improvement in bringing down the price. There is not much difference in the prices of onion between retail and wholesale markets.

Indian media reported that India itself is in the midst of onion crisis. Onions are being sold at the rate of Rs 60 to 100 per kilogram in the states of India. The neighbouring country India has decided to export onion to the Maldives as Maldives is totally dependent on India for the essential commodities including onions.

Indian government has informed the Maldives that it would continue to export onions to the island nation at the same quantity as before.
"We want to assure our friend Maldives that India wants to export onion to the Maldives despite the price hike and the shortage of one lakh tonnes of onion," the Indian Mission to Maldives said in a tweet on Sunday.

In India, there is a huge shortage of onions. To meet demand, India has to import onions from Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran and Egypt. India will continue to export all essential commodities to the Maldives, not just onions. India's Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has announced that import of one lakh tonnes of onion will continue to meet demand, Indian media reported. On September 29, the onion prices increased in Bangladesh market as India stopped exporting onions. Onions are currently being sold at Tk 130 to Tk 160 per kg in capital Dhaka’s kitchen market.