Countries object to India’s frequent onion bans

The US and Japan have objected to India’s frequent ban on onion exports without prior notifications, claiming that importing nations are left in a lurch at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Both the countries asked India why it has not opted for an export quota, which would allow a certain number of exports.
Onion cultivators from Maharashtra, in turn, are demanding that the Centre draft a comprehensive policy on the import and export of onion, instead of taking ad hoc decisions. Industry members have pointed out that despite being the second-largest onion producing country, India lacks a formal onion export policy.