Indian Red Onions for Wholesale and Export

India grows onions in several states, with Maharashtra — including the Nashik district — among the best-known producing regions. Harvests come from more than one crop season, so the character of available onions (size, skin colour, storage life) changes through the year.

We source against your specification rather than offering a fixed "stock grade". Once we understand the size band, colour and condition you need, we approach suitable suppliers, check what can be offered for your shipment window, and come back with what is realistically available.

Indian onion exports have at times been subject to government measures such as minimum export prices, export duties or temporary restrictions. The policy in force at the time of contracting must always be checked — we confirm this as part of the quotation.

Onions are usually traded by size band, measured across the widest diameter of the bulb, together with a description of colour and condition. Importers in different markets prefer different sizes — smaller bulbs for some retail packs, larger bulbs for wholesale and food-service.

Before quoting, we confirm:

• the size band in millimetres and the tolerance for undersized or oversized bulbs
• skin colour and how much variation is acceptable
• condition — dryness of the neck, firmness, and tolerance for loose outer skins
• acceptable defects, such as sprouting, rot, mechanical damage or double bulbs
• any destination-market requirements that affect grading or inspection

These parameters are written into the quotation so both sides are working to the same definition of "good quality".

Mesh (leno) bags are the standard packing for export onions because they allow airflow around the bulbs. 18 kg and 20 kg mesh bags are common formats that can be discussed, subject to supplier availability and your agreement.

Other bag weights, bag colours, printed labels or smaller consumer packs can be requested. Each option is confirmed with the supplier before it appears in a quotation, since packing affects cost, loading and lead time. See packaging and private-label options for how we handle packaging requests.

We welcome enquiries from trial lots to recurring container programmes. How much fits in a container depends on the confirmed bag weight, the type of container, the loading method and the shipment specification — so we do not quote a fixed container capacity in advance.

When you enquire, tell us the quantity you have in mind (in tonnes, bags or containers), how often you expect to buy, and the destination. We will confirm what can be offered and how the shipment would be loaded.

Onions are a living, perishable product. How well they travel depends on curing, harvest timing, handling, the container's ventilation or temperature settings, and the length of the voyage.

These are practical points we discuss with you before shipment:

• the crop season and how recently the onions were harvested and cured
• ventilation or reefer requirements suited to the route
• how long the goods are expected to be in transit and at the destination before sale
• handling at loading and unloading

We do not promise a specific shelf life or transit outcome. Instead, the handling plan is agreed in writing so responsibilities are clear.

Fresh onions are plant products, so most destinations require a phytosanitary certificate issued by India's National Plant Protection Organisation (the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage). Commercial documents typically include an invoice, packing list and transport document, and many buyers also need a certificate of origin.

Destination countries can add their own conditions — import permits, inspection, labelling or treatment requirements. The exact document set is confirmed for each shipment and written into the contract. Read our general introduction to export documentation for more detail.

We handle onion enquiries from commercial buyers, including:

• importers and wholesale vegetable traders
• supermarket and retail supply chains
• food-service and catering suppliers
• food processors that use onions as a raw material

If you are buying for a business and can share your quantity and destination, we are happy to discuss your requirement.