The Indian government has banned the export of onion seeds in response to the reported shortage of onions in the domestic market and their rising prices in the country. Onions are an important ingredient in Indian cuisine and have an evergreen demand round the year.

According to a notification circulated by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Thursday, the export of onion seeds is prohibited with immediate effect. The provisions for Transitional Arrangement (Para 1.05 of the FTP 2015-20) shall not be applicable under this notification. The onion seeds have been banned prior to the upcoming sowing season in order to relieve onion farmers and to ensure better yield of onions, so that their price can be regulated.

According to a tweet made by the Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, ensuring the availability of onion at affordable prices for consumers, the government has banned export of onion seeds. Onion seeds have now been shifted from the restricted category to the prohibited category.