The recent ban on onion exports by India, the world's largest onion exporter, has created a ripple effect across Asia, causing a surge in prices and forcing countries to seek alternative sources. &nbsp;

Implemented on December 8 due to a significant domestic price hike, the ban has impacted traditional buyers such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates. As India grapples with soaring onion prices, Asian consumers are facing the challenge of higher costs and limited alternatives.&nbsp;

For Asian consumers, especially in countries like Bangladesh, where onions are a culinary staple, the sudden spike in prices is proving difficult to cope with. &nbsp;

Reuters cited Mousumi Akhtar, a Dhaka resident who expressed the impact, stating, "Onions are needed for almost everything we cook. This sudden price hike is tough to swallow. I've had to cut back on how much I buy." &nbsp;

The dependence on Indian onions for various regional dishes, from Malaysian belacan shrimp paste to Nepali chicken chillies, has led to a serious setback as India's ban disrupts the supply chain.&nbsp;

Traders estimate that India contributes over half of all onion imports by Asian countries, emphasising its pivotal role in meeting the demand for this essential ingredient. The ban, has prompted importing nations like Bangladesh to explore alternative sources such as China, Egypt, and Turkey to overcome shortages. Bangladesh, anticipating general elections, has even initiated the sale of subsidised onions to mitigate the impact of the 50 per cent surge in prices caused by India's ban.&nbsp;

Nepal, heavily reliant on onion imports, faces a particularly challenging situation. Tirtharaj Chiluwal from Nepal's commerce ministry highlighted the scarcity. "Since the ban by India, we have monitored the supply situation at different places. There are no onions on sale," Reuters quoted him as saying.&nbsp;

Nepal is considering imports from China and may seek an exception from India to resume exports, according to ministry spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur.&nbsp;

The ban has prompted importing nations to turn to more expensive alternatives from China, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, leading to a hike in prices. &nbsp;

Ajit Shah, an Indian exporter, emphasised the significance of India's role in maintaining its global market position. He suggested that India, with an abundant domestic supply, should reconsider the ban to stabilise prices. &nbsp;

However, the likelihood of lifting the ban before next year's general elections appears slim, given the Indian government's priority to curb food prices.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

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The recent ban on onion exports by India, the world's largest onion exporter, has created a ripple effect across Asia, causing a surge in prices and forcing countries to seek alternative sources.

The recent ban on onion exports by India, the world's largest onion exporter, has created a ripple effect across Asia, causing a surge in prices and forcing countries to seek alternative sources. Implemented on December 8 due to a significant domestic price hike, the ban has impacted traditional buyers such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates. As India grapples with soaring onion prices, Asian consumers are facing the challenge of higher costs and limited alternatives. For Asian consumers, especially in countries like Bangladesh, where onions are a culinary staple, the sudden spike in prices is proving difficult to cope with. Reuters cited Mousumi Akhtar, a Dhaka resident who expressed the impact, stating, "Onions are needed for almost everything we cook. This sudden price hike is tough to swallow. I've had to cut back on how much I buy." The dependence on Indian onions for various regional dishes, from Malaysian belacan shrimp paste to Nepali chicken chillies, has led to a serious setback as India's ban disrupts the supply chain. Traders estimate that India contributes over half of all onion imports by Asian countries, emphasising its pivotal role in meeting the demand for this essential ingredient. The ban, has prompted importing nations like Bangladesh to explore alternative sources such as China, Egypt, and Turkey to overcome shortages. Bangladesh, anticipating general elections, has even initiated the sale of subsidised onions to mitigate the impact of the 50 per cent surge in prices caused by India's ban. Nepal, heavily reliant on onion imports, faces a particularly challenging situation. Tirtharaj Chiluwal from Nepal's commerce ministry highlighted the scarcity. "Since the ban by India, we have monitored the supply situation at different places. There are no onions on sale," Reuters quoted him as saying. Nepal is considering imports from China and may seek an exception from India to resume exports, according to ministry spokesperson Gajendra Kumar Thakur. The ban has prompted importing nations to turn to more expensive alternatives from China, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey, leading to a hike in prices. Ajit Shah, an Indian exporter, emphasised the significance of India's role in maintaining its global market position. He suggested that India, with an abundant domestic supply, should reconsider the ban to stabilise prices. However, the likelihood of lifting the ban before next year's general elections appears slim, given the Indian government's priority to curb food prices. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India's onion export ban sends shockwaves across Asia. Here's why

India may keep a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../india-banned-onion-exports-now-asia-has-eye- watering-prices-253269">ban on onion exports</a> until February because domestic prices have risen after the harvest of summer-sown crops, which were expected to augment supplies, was delayed and damaged by untimely rains, a government official said.

The ban on overseas sales by India, the world's biggest exporter of the bulb, will keep prices elevated in Asia and require importers in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to find other sources to fulfil their demand.

Despite the export ban enacted in September to keep domestic supply inside India, prices have surged after rain and floods during October and November limited onion supply, especially in Maharashtra, the country's biggest producer.

Wholesale onion prices are about 40 rupees (55 cents) per kg, down slightly from 55 rupees earlier this month, the highest in six years, according to data compiled by the state-run National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation.

"We will think about resuming exports once prices come down. Right now it is not possible," a senior government official at the Department of Consumer Affairs said on Monday.

"From January onwards supplies are expected to rise meaningfully. Once prices come down to a comfortable level, say below 20 rupees (per kg), then we can allow exports," he said, asking to remain unidentified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

A spokeswoman for&nbsp;Ministry of Commerce, which enacted the ban at the request of the Consumer Affairs department, did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment on how long the export ban would last.

Onion growers and government officials expected the ban would be lifted by the middle of November anticipating higher supplies from the summer crop.

Sakharam Darekar, a 79-year-old farmer from the village of Ghodegaon, 180 km (108 miles) east of Mumbai, said that last month's heavy rainfall left fields waterlogged for several days and damaged the onion crop on his 2-acre (0.8 hectares) plot that was ready for harvesting.

The rains have also delayed planting of the winter-sown crop by damaging seedlings in nurseries.

"I want to plant onion but seedlings are not available," said Dinesh Khairnar, a farmer in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.

Since India's ban, onion prices have spiralled in Asia and forcing leading buyers such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to source the crop from Myanmar, Egypt, Turkey and China. But the hefty volumes lost will be hard to replace as India exports more than 2 million tonnes onions per year.

"China or Egypt cannot replace the entire Indian supplies. Asian buyers are waiting for Indian supplies," said a Mumbai-based exporter.

India may keep a ban on onion exports until February because domestic prices have risen after the harvest of summer-sown crops, which were expected to augment supplies, was delayed and damaged by untimely rains, a government official said.

India may keep a ban on onion exports until February because domestic prices have risen after the harvest of summer-sown crops, which were expected to augment supplies, was delayed and damaged by untimely rains, a government official said. The ban on overseas sales by India, the world's biggest exporter of the bulb, will keep prices elevated in Asia and require importers in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to find other sources to fulfil their demand. Despite the export ban enacted in September to keep domestic supply inside India, prices have surged after rain and floods during October and November limited onion supply, especially in Maharashtra, the country's biggest producer. Wholesale onion prices are about 40 rupees (55 cents) per kg, down slightly from 55 rupees earlier this month, the highest in six years, according to data compiled by the state-run National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation. "We will think about resuming exports once prices come down. Right now it is not possible," a senior government official at the Department of Consumer Affairs said on Monday. "From January onwards supplies are expected to rise meaningfully. Once prices come down to a comfortable level, say below 20 rupees (per kg), then we can allow exports," he said, asking to remain unidentified because he is not authorized to speak to the media. A spokeswoman for Ministry of Commerce, which enacted the ban at the request of the Consumer Affairs department, did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment on how long the export ban would last. Onion growers and government officials expected the ban would be lifted by the middle of November anticipating higher supplies from the summer crop. Sakharam Darekar, a 79-year-old farmer from the village of Ghodegaon, 180 km (108 miles) east of Mumbai, said that last month's heavy rainfall left fields waterlogged for several days and damaged the onion crop on his 2-acre (0.8 hectares) plot that was ready for harvesting. The rains have also delayed planting of the winter-sown crop by damaging seedlings in nurseries. "I want to plant onion but seedlings are not available," said Dinesh Khairnar, a farmer in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. Since India's ban, onion prices have spiralled in Asia and forcing leading buyers such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to source the crop from Myanmar, Egypt, Turkey and China. But the hefty volumes lost will be hard to replace as India exports more than 2 million tonnes onions per year. "China or Egypt cannot replace the entire Indian supplies. Asian buyers are waiting for Indian supplies," said a Mumbai-based exporter.

India may extend onion export ban to February to cap domestic prices

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India's onion export ban sends shockwaves across Asia. Here's why

India may extend onion export ban to February to cap domestic prices