Nashik, Oct 23 (KNN) Regardless of the 40% duty on onion export its trade from Nashik district has gained momentum.

According to Halcon officials, the daily export of onions from its Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Janori, rural Nashik, dipped from 50 containers (forty-foot equivalent unit) a day in July to 24 containers a day in August following the imposition of 40% export duty on onions that came into effect from August 19.

One container carries 29 tonnes of onions.

Halcon, a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Container Corporation of India (Concor), sends the containers to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Mumbai, from where the consignments are sent to Dubai, Malaysia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Oman, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh etc. Some exporters from Nashik also export onions to Bangladesh via West Bengal.

Halcon officials told TOI that onion exports gained momentum in September and October following demand for onion. The onion export from Janori ICD declined from 42,268 tonnes in July to 21,832 tonnes in August after the imposition of export duty on onions. 

However, it increased to 31,000 tonnes in September. Around 18,000 tonnes of onions were exported in just 14 days between October 1 and 14 due to a rise in demand.

The officials further said even though the export of onions has gained momentum, it may slow down again as the arrival of onions is reducing at the APMCs as the stock with farmers is gradually exhausting.

“Moreover, the average wholesale onion price has also increased at large from Rs 2,050 per quintal on October 3 to Rs 3,200 per quintal so far at Lasalgaon APMC -- Country’s largest wholesale onion market,” said Halcon officials.

(KNN Bureau)