New Delhi: As onion prices continue at a high of Rs 60-70, India is importing large quantities of the much-needed vegetable from Egypt, which has exported 18,000 tonnes to India during the last two months.

The more reddish coloured onions from Egypt have been making their way to Indian vegetable mandis over the last few weeks.

According to a statement by an Egyptian competent authority, the Indian imports of onions from Egypt during August and September 2015 stood at 18,000 tonnes.

A similar amount is in the pipeline for being exported to India.

Egyptian export of onions to India is estimated to reach around 35,000 tonnes in 2015-16, up from 567 tonnes in 2014-15.

The onion crops in India were damaged following heavy unseasonal rains in onion producing states. Traders are also reported to have hoarded onions, leading to scarcity and high prices.

The small stocks of onions at Mother Dairy booths in the capital, which sells them at below Rs 40, gets exhausted by 6:30 AM.

India has been importing onions from Egypt and Afghanistan to tide over the crisis.

The import of onions from Egypt is the highest to date. In 2013-2014, India imported 314 tonnes of onions from Egypt, while there was no import the previous year. In 2014-15, India imported 576 tonnes of onions.

India also imports oranges from Egypt.