Delay in Indian onion harvest, harvest expected in 15 days

These unforeseen developments include the delay of the onion harvest, Katharani explains. "Unseasonal heavy rains in Nashik have delayed new crop arrivals by 15 days. Meanwhile, the upcoming Deepavali festival will close many markets, exacerbating labor shortages as workers return home. South crop regions face similar weather challenges, but the meteorological department predicts clearing skies in Nashik and the South within a day or two."

According to Katharani, the upcoming new onion crop will take some pressure of the market in terms of prices: "We expect increased new crop arrivals from Nashik in about 10 to 15 days, which should improve the overall quality and potentially lower the rates. This is why we recommend delaying onion purchases for 10-15 days, or buying only as truly needed. The 20% export duty on onions remains in effect and there are no further cuts announced by the Government." The new onion crop is also expected to be a bumper crop, so availability will not be an issue, Katharani states. "Favorable weather conditions and circumstances have led to extensive sowing, resulting in an anticipated bumper crop, surpassing previous years' yields. Currently, domestic prices are competitive with international levels, but export duties slightly elevate them. Once the duty is removed and new crop arrivals begin, prices will decline, making exports more viable. We expect a downward market trend from mid-to-end November in terms of prices."

"For our company, the primary export destinations for agricultural produce are Malaysia, Indonesia, Gulf Countries and Sri Lanka. Demand remains steady throughout the year, with year-on-year growth. However, government interventions to regulate domestic markets occasionally impact export volumes," Katharani concludes.