Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Bangladesh’s Sri Lanka Onion Export Plans Challenge Nashik Growers
Bangladesh usually buys many onions from India, but it now says it has extra onions of its own.
It wants to see whether it can sell onions and potatoes to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh will send a team to study the opportunity.
Sri Lanka has shown interest in buying these products.
If Bangladesh begins exporting to Sri Lanka, Indian onion sellers may face more competition.
This could matter to farmers in Nashik because overseas sales help support onion prices.
Indian growers and traders want stable export rules and lower transport costs.
They also want to reach more international markets so farmers can continue receiving good prices.
Bangladesh plans to send a team to Sri Lanka to assess onion and potato exports.
Bangladeshi officials said the country has surplus onions and potatoes after meeting domestic demand.
Sri Lanka has expressed interest in importing onions and potatoes from Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s possible entry into Sri Lanka could increase competition for Indian onion exporters, including Nashik growers.
Growers and traders are seeking consistent export policies, lower transport costs and wider market access.
- Who
- Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indian onion exporters and growers in Maharashtra, particularly Nashik.
- What
- Bangladesh plans to assess exporting onions and potatoes to Sri Lanka, potentially creating new competition for Indian onions.
- When
- The plan was discussed during a meeting in Hong Kong; the articles do not specify a date.
- Where
- The proposed exports would be from Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, with possible infrastructure such as warehouses in Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Bangladesh says it has a surplus after meeting domestic demand and is seeking new overseas markets.
- Bangladesh’s former role
- Bangladesh accounted for nearly 40% of India’s onion exports in 2023-24, according to the article.
- Planned assessment
- Bangladesh will send a special team to Sri Lanka to examine onion and potato export opportunities.
- Sri Lankan interest
- Sri Lanka has expressed interest in importing onions and potatoes from Bangladesh.
- Indian exports
- APEDA data cited in the article says India exported around 1.548 million tonnes of onions in 2025-26.
- Major destinations
- Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Nepal and Bangladesh were listed among India’s major onion export destinations.
- Affected region
- Nashik, Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon Baswant are identified as onion-growing and trading areas connected to export demand.