Onion auction to remain closed indefinitely in Nashik wholesale markets to protest 40% duty on export: Traders

Traders in Nashik have decided to close onion auctions indefinitely in all the Agriculture Produce Market Committees in Maharashtra’s Nashik district to protest against the Centre’s decision to impose a 40% export duty

Traders in Nashik on August 21 said they have decided to close onion auctions indefinitely in all the Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in Maharashtra's Nashik district to protest against the Centre’s decision to impose a 40% duty on the export of the kitchen staple.

In view of the decision, the onion auctions remained closed at most of the APMCs in the district on August 21, including at Lasalgaon, the largest wholesale onion market in India, sources said.

Traders claimed the central government's decision to impose 40% duty on the export of onions till December 31, 2023 will adversely affect the onion growers and its export.

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The decision for the indefinite closure of onion auctions here was taken on Sunday in a meeting of the Nashik District Onion Traders Association, its president Khandu Deore said on Monday.

"In case onions are brought to an APMC, as the decision will take time to reach farmers, then the auction of those onions will be conducted and thereafter the process will remain closed indefinitely. This was also decided in the meeting, as per the request by various organisations of farmers,” he said.

At some places, onions were brought and their auction began at the APMCs, as per sources.