Red Onion Exporter from India
Nashik red onion, graded and mesh-packed for Asian and Gulf markets — with export terms confirmed against current Indian policy at time of order.
Quick answer: Green Plus EXIM exports Indian red onion (primarily Nashik red), graded 40–60mm and above, packed in 5–25kg mesh bags. Bangladesh, Malaysia and the UAE are the largest destination markets. Important: Indian onion export policy changes frequently — a Minimum Export Price and export duty have both applied at different points — so onion pricing and terms are confirmed at the time of order, never quoted as fixed in advance.
Indian red onion for export
India is one of the world's largest onion exporters, and Nashik Red is the variety most buyers mean when they ask for Indian onion. It's deep red, stores reasonably well when properly cured from the rabi crop, and feeds established trade routes into Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Gulf.
We source primarily from Maharashtra — Nashik, Ahmednagar, Pune and Solapur — with Karnataka and Gujarat supplementing in specific windows. Onion is graded to your size specification, packed in mesh bags for airflow, and loaded into ventilated containers.
Important: Indian onion export policy changes frequently
This deserves its own section because it affects how you should read any onion price quote — from us or anyone else.
India actively manages onion exports to protect domestic supply and consumer prices. Over recent years that has included a Minimum Export Price (a legal floor price below which exports aren't permitted), an export duty, and in 2023–24 an outright export ban lasting almost five months (December 2023 to May 2024). These measures have been introduced, modified and withdrawn at short notice.
What this means practically: we confirm the applicable export conditions — MEP, duty, and any licensing requirement — at the time your order is placed, and your contract reflects the terms in force then. We won't quote you a fixed onion price months ahead as though policy were settled, because it isn't. If you're planning a recurring onion programme, build that variability into your sourcing plan and talk to us about how to structure it.
How should I specify onion?
- Size grade. 40–60mm, 50–70mm or 60–80mm are the common export bands. Markets differ — pick your grade explicitly rather than accepting "export quality" as a spec.
- Curing. Properly cured onion with dry outer skin and a firm neck is what survives transit. Under-cured stock rots. This is the single biggest quality variable on an onion shipment.
- Packing. Mesh/net bags (5–25kg) allow airflow. Sealed packaging traps moisture and causes rot — we don't recommend it for onion regardless of what a buyer's retail programme might prefer.
Which markets buy Indian onion?
Bangladesh is consistently India's largest onion market by a wide margin, with Malaysia and the UAE the next largest, and Sri Lanka, Nepal and Kuwait taking steady regional volume. The table below shows the reported figures with their source — note the source's year attribution is imprecise, which we've flagged rather than presenting the numbers as more precise than they are.
Onion export pricing
Onion prices are volatile even by fresh-produce standards — domestic Indian market prices, harvest timing, and government policy interventions all move them. Send your grade, quantity and destination port and we'll quote current terms with a short validity window and confirmation of any policy conditions that apply.
If policy volatility is a concern for your programme, see dehydrated vs fresh onion export for a more pricing-stable alternative.
Key facts
- Main export variety: Nashik Red (Maharashtra)
- HS code: 0703.10 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled)
- Size grades: 40–60mm, 50–70mm, 60–80mm
- Packed in 5–25 kg mesh bags; ~26–28 MT per container (weight-limited)
- Rabi-crop onion stores 2–4 months when properly cured
- Leading markets from India: Bangladesh, Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kuwait
- Export policy (MEP/duty) is subject to change — terms confirmed at time of order
Shipping to Bangladesh, our largest onion market? See the dedicated red onion to Bangladesh route page for routing, SAFTA documentation and the policy-exposure detail specific to that lane.
Step 1 of 2 — takes 60 seconds
Red Onion specifications
| Parameter | Typical specification |
|---|---|
| Variety | Nashik Red (Lasalgaon), Krishnapuram / Bellary Red on request |
| Size grades | 40–60 mm, 50–70 mm, 60–80 mm, or buyer-specified |
| Colour | Deep red to purple-red, uniform |
| Moisture / curing | Properly cured, dry outer skin, firm neck |
| Defects | Free from sprouting, rot, black mould, doubles and splits |
| Total defects allowance | Typically ≤ 2–5%, per contract |
Typical specs — final specifications as per contract. Tell us your required grade when you request a quote and we'll confirm availability.
Packaging & container loading
| Detail | Options |
|---|---|
| Packaging | 5 kg, 10 kg, 20 kg and 25 kg mesh/net bags; jute bags on request; jumbo bags for bulk orders |
| Minimum order quantity | 1 × 20ft container; trial orders discussed |
| Loading capacity (20ft) | Approx. 26–28 MT in a 20ft container (ventilated) |
| Loading capacity (40ft) | Approx. 26–28 MT in a 40ft container — onion loading is weight-limited, not volume-limited |
| Shelf life & storage | 2–4 months in cured, well-ventilated storage at 0–2°C and 65–70% RH; considerably less in ambient tropical conditions |
Loading figures are typical estimates — use the red onion container load estimator for a planning figure, and confirm exact figures with us before booking.
Availability calendar
Typical availability for red onion from India, by month:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Availability shifts year to year with weather and growing conditions — ask for current availability before planning a shipment window.
Where India exports fresh red onion
India's top destination markets for fresh red onion (HS 0703 10 (onions, shallots)), 2023. India exported $642,744,790 of fresh red onion worldwide that year:
| Destination country | Export value (USD) | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | $209,500,450 | 884,360,000 kg |
| Malaysia | $89,309,220 | 304,842,000 kg |
| United Arab Emirates | $81,459,800 | 351,498,000 kg |
| Sri Lanka | $68,602,610 | 263,303,000 kg |
| Nepal | $27,108,510 | 133,685,000 kg |
| Indonesia | $22,838,210 | 81,223,400 kg |
| Vietnam | $18,813,690 | 68,747,300 kg |
| Qatar | $16,667,490 | 64,145,900 kg |
| Iraq | $14,415,590 | 63,791,800 kg |
| Kuwait | $12,827,740 | 47,235,000 kg |
Source: World Bank WITS (World Integrated Trade Solution), mirroring UN Comtrade — India exports of HS 070310 by partner country, calendar year 2023 — view source. Data year: 2023. Retrieved: 2026-09-28.
Notes on this data
Replaces an earlier dataset with imprecise/blended year attribution and 3 of 6 rows entirely null (private aggregator compilations, seair.co.in/tradeimex.in). This WITS/UN Comtrade pull is the same primary-tier source used across the site's other 20+ trade-data files. Bangladesh alone is ~33% of India's total onion export value. CAUTION CARRIED FORWARD — DGFT POLICY IS VOLATILE FOR THIS PRODUCT: onion exports are 'Free' but historically subject to a Minimum Export Price and export duty; India banned onion exports outright for ~6 months in 2023-24. Export duty was reportedly removed 1 April 2025; MEP status should be reconfirmed at time of order. Any onion content must state pricing/duty terms are confirmed at time of order, not quoted as fixed.
Indian sourcing regions
Maharashtra dominates — Nashik district (Lasalgaon hosts Asia's largest onion market), plus Ahmednagar, Pune and Solapur. Karnataka (Bellary, Gadag) and Gujarat add volume, and Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan contribute in specific windows. The rabi (winter-sown) crop stores well and drives most export volume; kharif onion is more perishable.
Export documentation
Export documentation prepared to match destination-country and buyer requirements — phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, fumigation certificate, lab test reports and more, as applicable.
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Certificate of origin
- Fumigation certificate (where required by destination)
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
- Documentation reflecting any applicable Indian export-policy conditions at the time of shipment
Share your compliance checklist and we will confirm the documentation for your shipment. Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or your nominated agency) can be arranged on request.
Get a quote for Red Onion
Tell us your specs — get a quote within 24 business hours.
Red Onion export FAQs
Yes — onion export is permitted, but it is subject to Indian government controls that have changed repeatedly, including a Minimum Export Price and, at times, an export duty. India also banned onion exports outright for almost five months (December 2023 to May 2024). For that reason we confirm the applicable terms at the time of your order rather than quoting fixed conditions in advance.
An MEP is a government-set floor price below which a product cannot legally be exported. India has used MEPs on onion to manage domestic supply and prices. When an MEP applies, no exporter can quote below it, regardless of market conditions.
Nashik Red is the main export variety — deep red, good storage life from the rabi crop, and the backbone of supply to Bangladesh, Malaysia and the Gulf. Bellary/Krishnapuram red is available from Karnataka.
Commonly 40–60mm, 50–70mm and 60–80mm. Different markets prefer different sizes — Malaysian and Gulf buyers often want larger grades than some South Asian markets. Tell us your target grade when you enquire.
Roughly 26–28 MT, and this is the same for a 20ft and a 40ft — onion loading hits the container weight limit before it fills the volume, so a 20ft is usually the efficient choice.
Properly cured rabi onions keep 2–4 months in cool, ventilated storage. Kharif-season onion has a shorter life. Ventilated containers and dry, cured stock matter more than anything else for arrival condition.
One 20ft container. Trial quantities can be discussed for a first order — ask when you send your requirement.
Related products
Request a quote for Red Onion
Tell us your quantity, destination port and required specification — we'll come back within 24 business hours.
- Response within 24 business hours
- No obligation
- Samples available on request
Step 1 of 2 — takes 60 seconds