Trade · 4 min read
Big Onion vs Small Onion: What Importers Mean and Which to Buy from India
Two words that run the onion trade across South and Southeast Asia.
Quick answer
In the onion trade — especially in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore — a big onion is a large red bulb onion, typically Nashik red onion of 55 mm and above, used sliced or chopped. A small onion is a shallot-type onion of about 20–30 mm, used whole or ground into pastes. India exports both, and they are ordered, graded and priced separately.
What is a big onion?
A large red bulb onion. Indian big onions are mostly Nashik red onions graded 55 mm and above, with 60 mm-plus for the largest bulbs.
What is a small onion?
A small, multiplier or shallot-type onion of roughly 20–30 mm, sometimes called sambar onion in India. It has a sweeter, more aromatic flavour and is used whole in curries and pastes.
How do you order each one?
- Big onions — specify size band, colour, crop and mesh-bag weight
- Small onions — specify size range, dryness and bag size
- Both — agree container type, settings and shipment period
Frequently asked questions
Are big onions more expensive than small onions?
It depends on the season. Each is a separate market with its own supply, so prices are quoted separately.
