India Trade Restrictions: India might face a $4 to $5 billion drop in exports due to restrictions on wheat, rice, and sugar trade, aiming to control local prices. Attacks in the Red Sea might affect basmati rice shipments. To cope, India could use an African route, but ongoing attacks might raise rice prices by 15% to 20%
From belacan shrimp paste of Malaysia and Bangladeshi biryani to chicken chillies in Nepal or Sri Lankan fish curry, Asians have a dependence on Indian supplies of onions to lend spice to their favourite dishes.
For one, it is more remunerative to grow food grains, given higher prices and state government bonuses and assured procurement. Also, an increase in the area under cultivation need not result in a commensurate increase in output
Following a government ban on onion exports, wholesale prices plummeted by 50%. With kharif onion arrivals increasing, prices at Lasalgaon AMPC dropped from Rs 39-40/kg to Rs 20-21/kg. Farmers hope for a reversal akin to the ethanol diversion decision. The ban triggered immediate price drops, though demand might stabilize prices temporarily. Arrival rates surpass expectations, notably at Lasalgaon, with good quality despite hailstorm impacts. The market anticipates stable or slightly decreasing prices in the coming weeks.
The export curb decision in India has had an impact in Bangladesh as prices of the crop have shot up from Tk 80 a kg to Tk 200 a kg due to a perceived shortfall of onion, a key ingredient in most dishes in the country