Stable Onion FOB Prices as India Lifts Export Curbs and Egypt Stays Well Supplied

Indian and Egyptian onion prices are broadly stable, with dehydrated product from India flat and Egyptian fresh export values steady amid comfortable regional supply. Recent policy signals from India point to a more supportive stance on onion exports after earlier curbs, while current weather in both India and Egypt is benign for short‑term supply.

Export-oriented onion markets in India and Egypt are entering late March with no acute supply shock. Indian authorities stress that export restrictions are now used only temporarily in exceptional price spikes, with reversals once domestic prices soften, supporting a more predictable trade environment for dehydrated and fresh onions.  

📈 Prices & Recent Moves

Benchmark indications converted to EUR (approx. 1 EUR = 1.10 USD equivalent where relevant):

Product	Origin	Spec	Term	Latest Price (EUR)	1W Move
Onion powder	IN	Grade B	FOB New Delhi	≈ 1.14 EUR/kg	Stable w/w
Onion powder	IN	White	FOB New Delhi	≈ 1.39 EUR/kg	Stable w/w
Onion powder (organic)	IN	Powder	FOB New Delhi	≈ 2.36 EUR/kg	Stable w/w
Onion flakes (organic)	IN	Flakes	FOB New Delhi	≈ 4.64 EUR/kg	Stable w/w
Onion fresh	EG	Export grade	FOB Cairo	≈ 0.71 EUR/kg	Stable w/w

Blended fried/crispy onion from Europe trades higher, around 2.68 EUR/kg FCA Poland after a mild easing over recent weeks, indicating comfortable availability of processed product in the EU.  

🌍 Supply & Demand Drivers (IN & EG)

India

• The Government of India reiterates that export interventions in onions are temporary, applied only during extraordinary domestic price spikes and reversed once prices soften, supported by annual buffer stock procurement through NAFED and NCCF. 
• Earlier a 20% export duty on onions, imposed in September 2024, was removed from 1 April 2025 as wholesale prices dropped, signalling willingness to keep export channels open when domestic inflation is under control. 
• Dehydrated onion (powder and flakes) in New Delhi shows flat FOB indications over recent weeks, consistent with a well-supplied domestic raw onion market and soft global demand, rather than any acute shortage.

Egypt

• Egypt remains a significant onion exporter; fresh or chilled onions and shallots ranked among the country’s top agricultural export items in 2023, with Europe (UK, Italy, Germany) as key destinations. 
• Recent analysis of Egyptian horticultural chains highlights price volatility but no structural shortage, with 2024 onion prices showing short-lived spikes followed by quick normalization. 
• Current FOB Egypt fresh onion indications in EUR remain steady, reflecting adequate stocks and strong competition from other Mediterranean and Asian suppliers.

📊 Fundamentals & Weather Outlook

Weather – India (key onion states)

• Short-term forecasts for major onion belts in Maharashtra and Gujarat indicate mainly dry, seasonally warm conditions over the next three days, without extreme heat spikes or heavy rainfall. 
• These conditions are broadly neutral for curing and storage of late rabi onions and are not expected to disrupt immediate supply flows into dehydration hubs around New Delhi.

Weather – Egypt (Nile Delta)

• The Nile Delta, Egypt’s core onion production and packing region, is forecast to see mild, mostly dry weather with moderate temperatures over the coming three days. 
• Such conditions favour field and packing operations and should support stable export availability in the near term.

📌 Trading Outlook

• Dehydrated onion from India (powder/flakes): With policy signals turning export-friendly and no weather stress in key states, prices around 1.1–1.4 EUR/kg FOB for conventional powder and about 4.6 EUR/kg for organic flakes look well anchored in the very short term. Upside risk is limited unless new domestic price spikes trigger fresh policy action.
• Fresh Egyptian onions: FOB around 0.7 EUR/kg appears competitive versus regional peers and should remain broadly range-bound given comfortable stocks and stable weather. Any significant price firming would likely come from stronger demand in Europe or logistical bottlenecks, neither of which is visible this week.
• Buyer strategy: Short-term importers into the Middle East, North Africa and Europe may continue spot and near-term coverage at current levels, with only light forward hedging. Producers and processors in India and Egypt should monitor policy headlines closely but can expect a relatively calm pricing environment over the next week.

📆 3‑Day Regional Price Indication (Directional)

Region	Product	Current Level (EUR)	3‑Day View
IN (New Delhi FOB)	Onion powder (conv.)	≈ 1.14–1.39 EUR/kg	Sideways (0 to +1%)
IN (New Delhi FOB)	Onion powder (organic)	≈ 2.36 EUR/kg	Sideways
IN (New Delhi FOB)	Onion flakes (organic)	≈ 4.64 EUR/kg	Sideways
EG (Cairo FOB)	Fresh onions	≈ 0.71 EUR/kg	Sideways (0 to +2%)