Trade names you will hear
In the onion trade, onions are often named for where they come from: Nasik Red, Poona Red, Bellary Red, Patna Red and Patna White. These are trade names for the regional red and white onion, not single varieties.
Kharif and rabi onions
India grows onion in more than one season, and varieties are bred for each. Kharif onion is grown through the monsoon; rabi onion through the winter.
- Kharif: Agrifound Dark Red (NHRDF, selected from Nasik kharif stock, dark red globe bulbs) and Bhima Super (ICAR), released for kharif across states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka.
- Rabi: Bhima Raj, Bhima Shakti, Bhima Kiran and Bhima Light Red (red), and Bhima Shweta (white), all from ICAR.
- Export: Agrifound Rose (NHRDF), a flattish red onion developed for export, grown in parts of Karnataka.
Which onion is best?
- Everyday cooking and wholesale: Indian red onion, pungent and firm.
- Salads and export to some markets: the smaller, flatter Rose type.
- Dehydration and processing: white onion.
In wholesale, onion is sold by bulb size in millimetres. Larger bulbs fetch more.
| Size |
|---|
| 36 mm+ |
| 45 mm+ |
| 50 mm+ |
Questions
Quick answers.
What are the main onion varieties in India?
Trade names like Nasik Red, Bellary Red and Patna Red, and bred varieties such as Agrifound Dark Red and Bhima Super for kharif, and the Bhima series for rabi.
What is the difference between kharif and rabi onion?
Kharif onion is grown through the monsoon, rabi onion through the winter. Varieties are bred for each season.
Which onion is best for export from India?
Red onion in the larger sizes; Agrifound Rose is a variety developed specially for export.
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