India grows onions on a vast scale across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and other states, and harvests them in three seasons. That gives buyers a supply that runs through most of the year, at grades and sizes to suit both retail and processing.
Versa Traders handles the parts that decide whether onions arrive in good condition: choosing well-cured lots, grading and packing them, booking the right container and getting the certificates right.
Which onions does Versa Traders export?
- Nashik red onion — the large, pungent red onion from Maharashtra, India's main export type
- Bangalore Rose onion — small, rose-coloured onion from Karnataka, prized for pickling and processing
- White onion — for processing, dehydration and markets that prefer a milder onion
- Small onion (shallot / sambar onion) — 20–30 mm, popular in South Asian and Southeast Asian cooking
What quality do export onions need?
Every lot is checked against the contract before packing:
- Well cured, with dry, intact outer skins and dry necks
- Firm and sound — free from rot, sprouting and mechanical damage
- Uniform colour and graded to the agreed size band
- Free from soil, loose skins and foreign matter
How are onions packed and shipped?
Onions need to breathe. They are packed in leno mesh bags or jute bags and shipped in ventilated or refrigerated containers set to the temperature and ventilation agreed with the shipping line. Versa Logistics, our sister venture, books the container and handles the export documents if you buy CFR or CIF.
Which export documents come with an onion shipment?
- Phytosanitary certificate from India's plant quarantine authority
- Certificate of origin — preferential under India–UAE CEPA where eligible
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
- Quality and size-grading report
- Fumigation certificate when the importing country requires it
Does Indian onion export policy change?
Yes. India sometimes sets a minimum export price, applies an export duty or restricts onion exports for a period to protect domestic supply. We check the current DGFT position before every contract and tell you straight away if a change affects your shipment.
Onions — Export & Trading: frequently asked questions
Does Versa Traders export onions from India?
Yes. Versa Traders trades and exports fresh Indian onions — Nashik red onions, Bangalore Rose onions, white onions and small onions (shallots) — in bulk to importers, wholesalers and distributors worldwide, with samples, size grading, mesh-bag packing and phytosanitary certification.
Which onion varieties can I buy from India?
The main export types are Nashik red onion from Maharashtra (the large, pungent red onion most buyers know), Bangalore Rose onion from Karnataka (small, rose-coloured and mostly used for pickling and processing), white onion, and small onion or shallot from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
What onion sizes are available for export?
Red onions are graded by diameter, most often 25–40 mm, 40–60 mm, 45–65 mm and 55 mm and above. Small onions are usually 20–30 mm. Buyers specify the size band in the contract and every lot is graded to it before packing.
How are onions packed for export?
Usually in breathable leno mesh bags of 5, 10, 20, 25 or 50 kg, or in jute bags, and shipped in ventilated or refrigerated containers. Private-label printed bags can be arranged for regular buyers.
How many tonnes of onions fit in a container?
A 40ft refrigerated container typically carries around 28–29 tonnes of onions, depending on bag size and stacking; a 20ft container carries roughly half. The exact load is confirmed with the shipping line before booking.
When is the best time to buy onions from India?
India harvests onions in three seasons. The rabi crop, harvested from about March to May, stores best and supplies much of the year's export trade. Kharif and late-kharif crops are harvested from about October to March and are best shipped quickly.
Guides on onions — export & trading
- How to Import Onions from India: A Buyer's Guide to Varieties, Sizes, Packing and DocumentsEverything an importer needs to settle before the first container of Indian onions leaves port.
- Onion Sizes and Grades for Export: 25–40 mm, 40–60 mm, 45–65 mm and 55 mm+ ExplainedAn onion contract lives or dies on its size band. Here is what each one means.
- Shipping Onions in Containers: Reefer vs Ventilated, Load Weights and How to Avoid SpoilageOnions are alive in the container. Ship them like it.
- India's Onion Seasons: Kharif, Late Kharif and Rabi — When to Buy and Why It MattersThree harvests, three different onions. Plan your buying around them.