New Delhi, Nov 23 (PTI): India's onion exports in October fell sharply by 86 per cent to 22,000 tonnes compared with the same month last year as government raised minimum export price (MEP) to control rising domestic prices.

However, onions exports have increased by nearly 3,000 tonnes compared to the previous month, according to data compiled by National Horticultural Research Foundation (NHRDF). Onion exports stood at 1,54,957 tonnes in October 2012, while the shipments were at 19,218 tonnes in September this year.

The government had imposed MEP on onion at $650 per tonne on August 14 to curb the rise in prices of onions. Following this, the MEP have been further raised two times, first to $900 per tonne and then to $1,150 per tonne as onion prices remain surging and touched Rs 100 per kg in some parts of the country.

Now, prices have moderated to Rs 50-60 per kg with arrival of new crop of onions from Rajasthan and Karnataka has started arriving in huge quantities in consuming states.

During April-October period in the current year onion exports 7,38,246 tonnes down from last year's level of 11,56,424 tonnes.

Shipments of onions started showing down fall trend from the month of July as prices of bulb started going up in the domestic markets.

The total production of onion in 2012 stood at 16.30 million tonnes.