India is still strengthening its role in exporting onions globally. In 2023-24, onions accounted for 1.71 million tonnes of exports from the country. Between April and July 2024, after the export ban was raised in May, India still exported a total of 2.6 lakh tonnes of onions despite continuing MEP limits at $550 and a 40% export duty.
Red onions are highly valued among available varieties for their sharp flavor, rich color, and high demand in foreign markets. Red onions are mainly produced in Karnataka and Maharashtra, which makes them highly demanded key players in the export market.
We aim to bring attention to the best 10 exporters of red onions in India and what they do for the industry. This information whether you’re an importer, trader, or observer is vital for learning about the onion export industry in India.
How India Grows and Exports Red Onions
India’s onion exports largely depend on how much the country’s domestic production In the 2023–24, Maharashtra led onion production, delivering more than 86.02 lakh tonnes accounting for 35.5% of the country’s total output. Madhya Pradesh followed with 41.66 lakh tonnes (17%), with other significant contributions from Karnataka, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. These states ensure a steady supply of red onions, which are highly valued by importing countries.
Most of India’s onion exports go to neighboring and nearby countries in Southeast Asia. Bangladesh alone imported nearly a third of this quantity, while Sri Lanka and Malaysia made up a combined 65% of total exports. These markets prefer Indian red onions for their sharp flavor and longer shelf life. The onion sector is often linked with the broader vegetable export economy, as red onions remain one of the key crops in India’s fresh produce trade.
However, even as the world’s top producer of red onions, India faces challenges in exporting them consistently. The Indian government often implements export bans, Minimum Export Price (MEP) rules, and export taxes to stabilize domestic prices. While these measures aim to protect local consumers, they can disrupt trade relationships with importing countries.
Top Red Onion Exporters in India
India’s red onion export sector benefits from businesses with high volumes, high-quality products, and trustworthy supply lines abroad. Let’s go through some examples one at a time.
1) Modi Exporters
Among India’s red onion exporters, Modi Exporters in Gujarat is considered a major brand. The company exports more than 150,000 metric tons of goods each year to Malaysia, the UAE, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. They source their onions from key onion-growing areas such as Nashik and Bhavnagar to maintain consistent quality and supply. Known for offering onions in various sizes, ranging from 25mm to 80mm, they also use eco-friendly packaging made from jute and mesh. Their smart logistics and transparent operations have made them a preferred choice for customers across the globe.
2) Geewin Exim
Based in Tamil Nadu, Geewin Exim Pvt Ltd is well-known for exporting red onions along with a variety of Indian vegetables. The company exports approximately 40,000 – 50,000 metric tons of red onions annually to the UAE, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. They specialize in clean and healthy onion packaging, catering especially to health-conscious customers concerned about cholesterol. Their products are available in various package sizes, ranging from 5 kg to 50 kg. Thanks to their reliable and dependable service, they’ve built lasting partnerships in several countries.
3) Sri Vyshnavi Exports
Sri Vyshnavi Exports, headquartered in Hyderabad, supplies red onions and garlic to several countries. The company ships over 50,000 metric tons of produce each year to Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh. They are well known for exporting the “Bangalore Rose” red onions, carefully selected for their unique color and distinct taste. Sri Vyshnavi places a strong emphasis on maintaining food safety standards and offers advanced packaging options to keep the produce fresh. Thanks to their solid logistics and flexible export services, international onion importers consider them a trusted and dependable partner.
4) Devark Export
Devark Export, based in Maharashtra, is quickly becoming a trusted name in India’s red onion export market. The company ships fresh red onions to countries like Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. To meet international quality standards, Devark sources most of its produce from Nashik and Ahmednagar—regions known for their sharp-tasting red onions. Their use of well-maintained cold storage and specially designed packaging helps preserve quality during long-distance transport. Thanks to their time-efficient operations and consistently high standards, many buyers across Asia and the Middle East rely on Devark Export.
5) Essar Exports
Essar Exports in Maharashtra has earned a strong reputation as a trusted exporter of red onions. The company supplies fresh red onions to clients in the Gulf, Nepal, and several regions in Africa. Many of their onions come from Nashik and Pune, areas known for producing onions with a strong taste and long shelf life. Essar checks every batch for quality and stores the products in temperature-controlled conditions to ensure they’re ready for export. By delivering goods on time and following international standards, they’ve built a solid reputation across various industries.
6) Yeshasvi Exporters
Yeshasvi Exporters, based in Karnataka, is steadily building a strong reputation as a reliable supplier of red onions. The main exporting countries are UAE, Qatar, and Singapore. Grown in Karnataka’s fertile regions, their onions are known for a bold taste and consistent size. Yeshasvi transports its products under controlled conditions and uses modern packaging to prevent spoilage. Because of their focus on sustainability and ethical practices, both local suppliers and global customers trust them as a dependable name in the trade.
7) Nizam Exports
Nizam Exports, located in Andhra Pradesh, is gaining recognition in India’s red onion export market. Middle East, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are their top destination countries for red onion. Nizam Exports ensures that all exported onions are uniform in size and meet the highest global standards. They use ventilated mesh bags to keep the produce fresh and prevent spoilage during international shipping. Thanks to their focus on pricing and supply efficiency, the company has found considerable success in attracting overseas clients.
8) Savaliya Agri Commodity Export
As a Gujarat-based company, Savaliya Agri Commodity Export Pvt Ltd holds a leading position in exporting red onions. Their onions are sourced from Mahuva and Nashik regions known for producing high-quality onions that are rich in color and have a long shelf life. To ensure the onions remain fresh and intact during shipment, Savaliya uses modern facilities and cold storage and strictly follows global food safety standards. Thanks to their prompt deliveries and customized packaging, customers around the world rely on them.
Red Onion Producing States in India
Much of India’s success in exporting red onions comes from its ability to produce them in large quantities, especially in regions with climates well-suited for onion farming. The following states grow red onions in significant amounts and contribute heavily to the export supply:
- Maharashtra: As the country’s largest onion producer, Maharashtra supplied over 86.02 lakh metric tons of onions last year. The Nashik and Ahmednagar districts are well-known for producing flavorful red onions with a long shelf life.
- Madhya Pradesh: Onion farming here is concentrated in Indore, Ujjain, and Dewas. These regions not only meet local food demands but also contribute to exports.
- Gujarat: The towns of Bhavnagar and Rajkot are major producers in the state. Their red onions are appreciated for their uniform size and deep red color.
- Karnataka: Areas like Chikkaballapur and Bagalkot produce onions with a strong, bold flavor that is popular in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
- Rajasthan: This state supports seasonal onion farming and plays a key role in supplying onions during important export periods.
How to Find Red Onion Buyers for Your Export Business
Despite being the top supplier of red onions globally, one of the biggest challenges Indian exporters face is finding genuine and reliable buyers abroad. Whether you’re a new or experienced exporter, choosing the right market can significantly contribute to your success.
One of the major concerns for Indian exporters is locating trustworthy buyers, especially as global competition and market demands continue to shift. It’s not enough to have high-quality red onions, you also need to market and sell them effectively in different countries.
Most successful onion exporters rely on real trade data to understand who the buyers are, how much they import, and the price ranges they’re willing to pay. If you have access to detailed import-export data, you can:
- Identify the top importers or buyers names of fresh red onions in countries like the UAE, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
- Track how much they buy, how often they buy, and the average prices of their imports.
- Pinpoint high-demand seasons and regions where onions are in greatest need.
If you’re exporting from states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, or any other states, having the right data can help you connect with legitimate buyers and avoid scams or unreliable partners.
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