Egypt expands ban on onion exports till end March 2024

Egypt’s Premier Mostafa Madbouly prolonged Monday until March 30, 2024, the ban on onion exports in place since October as part of efforts to control soaring prices of the commodity.

Madbouly announced the decision during a meeting with relevant ministers as they tried to monitor the sufficient availability and affordability of various commodities in markets and to supply more goods to markets and commercial complexes across the country, local media Ahram Online reports.

The ban was introduced in October as onion prices have recently surged to EGP 35 ($1.1) per kilogram in some local markets across Egypt; a significant increase from EGP 27 the previous month and EGP 12 a year ago, media notes.

The vegetable is among the traditional and most affordable vegetables in the country and are a staple in Egyptian cuisine.

Data from the official statistics authority CAPMAS show that Egypt’s onion exports surged by 95.9 percent to reach $129.3 million during the first six months of 2023, up from $66 million in the same period a year earlier.