Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed the Maldives will continue to receive onions without interruption despite India’s ban on the export of onion.
On September 14, India banned the export of onion, as prices trebled in a month after excessive rainfall hit crops in southern states. The export of all varieties of onion was prohibited with the immediate effect, which left the traders baffled. The Maldivian foreign minister said despite the ban, Maldives will receive onions without any interruptions under the renewed quota provided by India on August.
During a virtual meeting held between Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S Jaishankar, India announced renewal of the quotas for the import of essential commodities from India to the Maldives. These essential commodities include rice, sugar, flour, onions, potatoes, eggs, dhal, stone aggregates and river sand. The external affairs minister noted the quota approved is larger than the amount approved last year.
India is the world's biggest exporter of onions, a staple of South Asian cooking. Countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia and Sri Lanka rely on Indian shipments. Excessive rainfall in India's southern states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have damaged summer-sown crop and delayed harvesting in other states.