Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of small onion in India and it accounts for nearly 85 per cent of the total small onion production in the country. It is mainly grown in Dindigul, Tiruppur, Perambalur, Trichy, Namakkal, Theni and Madurai districts in Tamil Nadu.
During ‘Thai and Maasi’ pattam, small onion is usually grown through seedlings, which is highly preferred for export. Major export destinations are Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Arrival to Coimbatore market has started from Namakkal, Gobichettipalayam and Sathyamangalam.
The TN- IAM Project funded Price Forecasting Scheme of the Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, TNAU analyzed the past 12 years prices for small onion that prevailed in Oddanchatram vegetable market. Any change in price would be subjected to export demand and seed demand in the ensuing season. Hence, farmers are advised to take up sowing decision accordingly.