In Maharashtra's Nashik district, India, farmers protested at Lasalgaon's wholesale market against the 20% export duty on onions, halting trade for two hours. Bharat Dighole, president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association, highlighted ongoing agitation for duty removal, stating, "Summer crop is up for harvest and the wholesale prices have already started dipping. If the duty is not removed soon, it would be a bloodbath in terms of price."
Earlier, an export ban was imposed due to a lower-than-expected crop, but while the ban was lifted in 2024, the export duty persists. This has affected onion exports to markets in the Middle East, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Narendra Wadhavane, secretary of Lasalgaon's market, reported, "Some of the protesters had climbed on the water tank—they were later brought down by the police. Trade resumed later on."
MLA Dilip Bankar raised the issue in the legislature, with Minister Jaykumar Rawal promising to address it with the central government.
Source: The Indian Express