DoCA calls for better onion storage amid export slump

Nashik: The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) on Tuesday appealed to the onion exporters to strengthen storage infrastructure to cope with the situation arising out of high onion production and to help stabilise prices in the domestic market.The appeal was made by DoCA secretary Nidhi Khare during an online meeting with members of various onion exporter associations to review the current production, export scenario and price trends.The meeting, attended by senior DoCA officials, was organised to discuss challenges faced by the onion sector and explore measures to address price volatility, particularly during periods of surplus production.Officials from the department made presentations on onion production estimates, domestic arrivals and export performance in recent months.Khare chaired discussions on export-related concerns and price stabilisation measures, with special emphasis on the need to develop improved storage technology and infrastructure.She also urged the exporters to expand cold storage facilities so that onions can be stored for longer periods during phases when demand weakens or production remains high, thereby preventing a sharp fall in prices.Speaking to TOI, Vikas Singh, vice-president of the Horticulture Produce Exporters Association of India, who attended the meeting, said exporters highlighted that onion exports have recently been affected due to geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the US-Israel region.In response, Khare appealed to the exporters to consider increasing cold storage capacity to manage the surplus effectively. Exporters, however, pointed out that only summer onions are suitable for storage and it typically start sprouting after two to three months, which limits their storage life.