India, May 4 -- Farmers demand all restrictions to be lifted for exports to maximise profits

The Union government lifted the ban on onion exports on May 4, 2024. The decision comes ahead of voting in key Maharashtra constituencies in the third phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on May 7.

The Centre's decision is likely to increase onion prices in the coming weeks. On May 4, the rate at Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee, Asia's biggest onion market, was Rs 2,100 per quintal, peaking to a maximum of Rs 2,500. Onions from Maharashtra are exported to at least 20 countries.

But farmers in Maharashtra's onion belt of Nashik, Lasalgaon, Solapur and other areas are far from happy with the government decision. They told Down...