Nashik Onion Exporters Face Crore Losses Over Shipping Delays

Onion exporters in Nashik district have reported substantial losses following shipping delays that disrupted exports to Sri Lanka. Bookings for 105 containers were made on June 1 for export to Colombo via Mumbai, but the vessel failed to arrive as scheduled. Of these, only 40 refrigerated containers were loaded while shipments from 65 non-refrigerated containers were refused, affecting transportation, storage and quality.

The exporters have demanded compensation from the shipping company. Separately, a ship carrying onions to Dubai dispatched nearly a month ago has yet to reach its destination. Adding to export pressures, newly harvested onions from Pakistan, China and Turkey are available at lower prices in international markets, intensifying competition for Indian onions. Exporters have urged the central government to intervene and provide relief to the sector.