New Delhi Dec 26 (KNN) The Government's steps to control the outbound shipments resulted to fall in Onion exports by 18 percent to 4.86 lakh tonnes in the first half of the fiscal.

As per the data compiled by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF), the exports stood at 4,85,930.51 tonnes during the current fiscal year 2015-16 as compared to the last year which was 5,89,900.89 tonnes.

The Government hiked the Minimum Export Price (MEP) to $700 per tonne in August this year due to unseasonal rains the in the country which led to low output and prices of Onions went up. As a result of this exports dipped during the first six months of the fiscal year.

With onion prices under control and ruling at low levels, the government yesterday scrapped the onion MEP to push outward bound shipments as domestic prices have crashed. (KNN Bureau)