Dried onion producers ecstatic at harvest bounty

Rajkot: Despite worries about the US-initiated tariff war affecting Indian industry, onion dehydration facilities in Mahuva town of Bhavnagar district are thriving. This is attributed to a bountiful onion harvest not only in Gujarat, but supply is also expected from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Mahuva's dehydration facilities process white, pink and red onions into flakes, powder and granules, storing them in cold storage units for year-round global exports. The town has 120 processing units and more than 70 cold storage facilities, establishing itself as an onion export centre.

Exporters report that farmers are receiving fair prices for their produce despite the abundant harvest, owing to strong export demand. Vitthal Koradiya, an onion exporter from Mahuva, said, "This year there has been a very good crop in Gujarat as well as in Maharashtra and UP. We expect that our season will be extended by one month because of the good crop and will run till June 15. This year we will make 20% more onion produce."

These facilities typically process 100,000 tonnes of onions a year but anticipate reaching 120,000 tonnes this year. Of this, 80,000 tonnes are exported, while the remainder supplies Indian luxury hotels and spice manufacturers. The production uses 80% white onions and 20% combined red and pink varieties.

Mehboob Kalania, another onion exporter, said, "We have had a good crop in Gujarat which has already started coming to the market. The Maharashtra crop is expected to arrive at our plants by April. This year, the area sown increased in Maharashtra and onion prices are also good. We expect a bumper supply at our plants."

Dehydrated onions are used in the spice and hospitality sectors, with exports reaching the US, Australia, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, UK, Brazil, Poland, Austria and Russia.

India faces competition mainly from China and Egypt in this segment.