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Red Onion Exporter & Bulk Supplier from India
India is one of the world’s largest onion exporters, and its red onions are a staple in the Gulf, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa. VegTradeHub supplies cured, size-graded red onions with good storage life for importers, wholesalers and re-exporters.
- Export grade
- Private label
- Samples on request
- Terms mutually agreed
Red Onion — overview
Cured, graded red onions in mesh bags and reefer or dry containers.
Onion from Rajasthan Rajasthan's Marwar region — spanning Jodhpur, Pali, and Nagaur — is India's premier storage onion belt. The arid climate, well-drained sandy-loam soils, and pronounced diurnal temperature variation produce red onions with high dry matter content, intense pungency, and exceptional keeping quality. These attributes make Rajasthan red onions the preferred choice for long-distance export, cold-storage programs, and industrial processing where shelf stability is critical.
VegTradeHub works directly with farmer collectives across the onion belt, coordinating harvest timing, field curing, and post-harvest handling to deliver bulbs that meet stringent export specifications. Our supply chain integrates farm-level grading, packhouse sorting, pre-cooling, and reefer dispatch — ensuring consistent quality from field to destination port.
Trade-policy note: Onion exports from India are subject to Government of India trade policy, including duties or minimum export price measures that have changed several times. We confirm the current position and any conditions at the time of each quotation.
| Common names | Red Onion, Pyaz, Kanda, Allium cepa, Indian Onion |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Allium cepa var. cepa (Aggregatum group) |
| Category | Fresh Vegetables |
| Origin regions | Jodhpur, Pali, Nagaur districts, Rajasthan (Marwar onion belt) |
| Season / supply | Rabi: November–March (main crop); Kharif: March–May (secondary) |
| Available forms | Fresh whole bulbs, peeled cloves, dehydrated flakes, onion powder |
Why buy red onion from VegTradeHub
Specification-led supply
Limits for purity, moisture and key quality parameters are agreed in writing before production.
Lot-wise analysis
A certificate of analysis accompanies each lot, and third-party inspection is available on request.
Documented and traceable
Export documents are checked before dispatch, with lot traceability from packing back to source.
Packing to your brief
Bulk bags, cartons and private-label retail packs, loaded to suit sea, air or land shipment.
Specification
Typical export specification. Final limits are agreed in the contract and confirmed by the lot certificate of analysis.
| Parameter | Grade A (Premium) | Grade B (Standard) | Grade C (Processing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulb diameter | 50–70 mm | 40–80 mm | 30–90 mm |
| Bulb height | 45–60 mm | 35–70 mm | 30–80 mm |
| Skin color | Deep uniform red, glossy | Medium red, slight variation | Light red to pink, variable |
| Flesh color | White with distinct red rings | White with faint red rings | White, minimal ring definition |
| Skin retention | ≥ 3 complete dry scales, tight | ≥ 2 complete scales, mostly tight | 1–2 scales, may be loose |
| Neck closure | Tight, well-dried, ≤ 5 mm | Closed, ≤ 10 mm | Partially open, ≤ 15 mm |
| Root trim | Clean, flush cut | Clean, ≤ 3 mm residual | Trimmed, ≤ 5 mm residual |
| Doubles / multiples | Zero tolerance | ≤ 2% by count | ≤ 5% by count |
| Sprouting / rooting | Zero tolerance | Zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Mechanical damage | Zero tolerance | ≤ 1% (superficial only) | ≤ 3% (including cuts/bruises) |
| Decay / mold | Zero tolerance | Zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Foreign matter | Zero tolerance | Zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
Origin advantage
Agro-climatic suitability
The Marwar region experiences hot, dry summers (35–45°C) and cool winters (5–15°C) with low humidity (20–40%) and negligible rainfall during the Rabi onion season. This climate suppresses foliar diseases (purple blotch, Stemphylium blight) and reduces bulb rot pressure, producing clean, disease-free onions with high solids content. The intense sunlight drives photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation, while cool nights slow respiration — a combination that naturally enhances storability and pungency.
Soil profile
Predominantly deep, well-drained sandy loam to loamy sand soils (Typic Torripsamments / Typic Haplocalcids) with pH 7.5–8.2 and low organic carbon (0.3–0.6%). These soils promote rapid bulb expansion, easy harvest with minimal mechanical damage, and excellent skin set. Low clay content reduces soil adhesion on bulbs, lowering post-harvest cleaning costs and improving pack-out appearance.
Traditional farming expertise
Generations of onion cultivation in the Marwar belt have refined varietal selection (N-53, Bhima Super, Arka Niketan, Baswant 780), seed production, transplanting schedules, and curing techniques. Farmers practice raised-bed planting with drip irrigation, precision fertilizer scheduling, and staged harvesting — knowledge systems that consistently deliver export-grade yields of 25–35 MT/ha. VegTradeHub partners with progressive grower groups who maintain field records, enabling lot-level traceability.
Logistics connectivity
Jodhpur Airport (JDH) offers daily cargo capacity to Middle East hubs (Dubai, Doha, Muscat) with 4–6 hour flight times. Mundra and Pipavav ports (280–320 km by road) provide weekly reefer sailings to Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. The Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor and dedicated freight rail ensure reliable domestic movement to packhouses and ports. This multi-modal connectivity supports both air freight for high-value programs and sea freight for volume shipments.
Packaging options
- Ventilated corrugated cartons 5–13 kg — Retail- and wholesale-ready, with optional private-label printing.
- Mesh bags 10–50 kg — Common for onion, garlic, potato and root vegetables.
- Reefer container 20 ft / 40 ft — Temperature- and humidity-controlled for sea shipment.
- Air freight packs — Lightweight cartons for perishable or urgent consignments.
Storage & shelf life
Keep cool and ventilated at the product-specific temperature; handle gently and avoid delays at ports.
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 0 to 2°C (32–35.6°F) — avoid freezing (< -1°C causes translucent scales) |
| Relative humidity | 65–75% — lower RH reduces sprouting and root growth; higher RH risks mold |
| Air circulation | Continuous, uniform; 0.5–1.0 m/s airflow through pallets; avoid direct cold blast |
| Ethylene sensitivity | Low — but store separately from high ethylene producers (apples, bananas, tomatoes) |
| CO₂ tolerance | Up to 5% CO₂ beneficial for sprout suppression; > 10% may cause off-flavors |
| Storage duration | Grade A: 4–6 months; Grade B: 3–4 months; Grade C: 1–2 months (processing) |
Grade A (Premium): 4–6 months at 0–2°C, 65–75% RH. Maintains firm texture, deep red skin color, and full pungency — suitable for premium retail and long-haul export. Grade B (Standard): 3–4 months under cold storage; minor skin color variation over time but eating quality and pungency remain excellent for wholesale and food-service channels. Grade C (Processing): 1–2 months — intended for immediate processing (dehydration, pickling, sauce) soon after arrival. Higher throughput, lower storage cost.
Applications & end uses
Fresh produce wholesale & retail
Premium grade red onions for wholesale markets, supermarket chains, hypermarkets, and specialty distributors in GCC, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Uniform sizing and skin quality drive retail shelf appeal.
Dehydration & ingredient processing
Primary industrial application for onion flakes, powder, and granules. High dry matter (14–16%) and pungency yield superior rehydration ratio and flavor intensity — preferred by spice blenders and seasoning manufacturers.
Pickle & condiment industry
Firm, pungent bulbs with tight skins are ideal for whole-bulb pickling, onion relishes, and chutney production. Consistent size reduces sorting labor on high-speed lines.
Food processing & ready meals
Diced, sliced, or pureed for soups, sauces, curry bases, and ready meals. Uniform sizing reduces waste on automated dicing lines; high solids improve yield in puree applications.
HORECA supply
Hotels, restaurants, catering companies, and cloud kitchens source for fresh prep, caramelized onions, onion rings, and garnish applications. Grade B offers optimal cost-quality balance.
Export distribution & re-export
Re-export hubs (Dubai, Singapore, Rotterdam) distribute onward to regional markets; VegTradeHub supports documentation, cold-chain coordination, and mixed vegetable loads.
Shipping & documents
Refrigerated (reefer) containers by sea from Mundra, Nhava Sheva or Chennai; air freight for urgent lots; road for Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Standard documents: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, certificate of analysis, bill of lading or air waybill, plus treatment or health certificates where your authority requires them.
Payment terms: Payment terms are not fixed: buyer and seller discuss and agree terms that suit both sides, and we record them in the proforma invoice or sales contract before the order is confirmed. How we agree terms →
Red Onion export markets
We supply importers of red onion in:
Frequently asked questions
What onion sizes do you supply?
We supply size-graded red onions in the ranges requested by importers, for example 40–60 mm and 55–70 mm bulbs. Size, colour and packing are confirmed in the quotation.
Is onion export subject to Indian government policy?
Yes. Onion exports can be affected by duties, minimum export prices or other measures. We check the current position before quoting and keep you informed if it changes before shipment.
Do you offer samples of red onion?
Yes. We can arrange a sample from the lot for your approval before a commercial order. Please send your delivery address and target specification.
What are the payment terms for red onion?
Payment terms are agreed between buyer and seller for each order and recorded in the proforma invoice or sales contract. We aim for terms that suit both sides.
Which documents come with red onion shipments?
Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, certificate of analysis and bill of lading or air waybill, plus any additional certificate your authority requires.
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- Free samples on request
- Private-label packing
- Full export documents