Importing Indian Onions & Garlic: Quality Parameters, Grades & How Bhagat Brothers Ensures Consistent Supply

1. Major Onion & Garlic Growing Regions in India: Why Sourcing Matters

Quality begins at the farm. Bhagat Brothers works directly with some of India’s top-growing belts known for their climate, soil chemistry, and experienced growers. Strategic sourcing helps international buyers receive onions and garlic with better shelf-life, stronger flavor, and more uniform grading.

✔ Onions — Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh
Regions like Nashik, Lasalgaon, and Mandsaur are globally recognized onion-growing hubs, known for:
High shelf-life, strong pungency, uniform bulb size, and lower moisture content. These characteristics are ideal for export consignments that must withstand long-distance sea freight and extended storage.

✔ Garlic — Madhya Pradesh (Known for High-Pungency Garlic)
Mandsaur and Neemuch districts produce India’s finest garlic, known for:
High allicin content, larger cloves, strong aroma, and superior taste and color. This makes MP garlic especially attractive for food processors, spice companies, and retail brands looking for intense flavor.

Bhagat Brothers has long-term relationships with farmers and APMC suppliers, allowing consistent procurement of premium-grade onions and garlic. For importers seeking a dependable Indian produce partner, this farm-level integration significantly reduces risk.

2. Quality Parameters Importers Must Check Before Buying

Ensuring the right grade and consistency is essential to avoid customs issues, short shelf-life, or customer complaints. When evaluating any Indian onion and garlic exporter, importers should request clear specifications and samples aligned with their target market.

For Onions
Key export-grade parameters include:
Size grades such as 25–35 mm, 35–50 mm, 50–70 mm, and 65+ mm, depending on market requirement.
Color: Deep red or golden yellow (based on country preference and retail segment).
Firmness: No sprouting, no softness, and no internal breakdown.
Skin quality: Tight, dry, multi-layered skin for better protection.
Moisture level: Low moisture for better shelf stability and reduced risk of rot.
Defects: Bulbs should be free from decay, fungal infections, sunburn, and mechanical damage.

For Garlic
Key parameters include:
Variety: High-pungency MP garlic with strong aroma and flavor.
Size grades: 26mm+, 32mm+, 36mm+, 40mm+, and premium 45mm+ bulbs.
Bulb firmness and clove compactness.
White to cream color quality for strong retail appeal.
No sprouting, mold, or internal decay.

Bhagat Brothers conducts multi-stage inspection at sourcing, cleaning, grading, and packaging stages to ensure compliance with importer specifications. This structured quality control approach helps buyers secure reliable shipments of Indian onions and garlic season after season.

3. Essential Export Packaging for Onions & Garlic

Packaging plays a crucial role in maintaining freshness throughout long-distance transportation. Well-designed packaging reduces wastage, preserves quality, and ensures that onions and garlic reach supermarkets, wholesalers, and food processors in usable condition.

✔ Mesh Bags (250g, 500g, 1kg, 2kg, 5kg, 10kg, 20kg, 30kg, 40kg)
Mesh bags ensure air circulation and prevent moisture build-up, making them ideal for consumer packs and food service formats. They are widely used for both onion and garlic exports in retail-friendly SKUs.

✔ Jute Bags (40kg / 50kg)
Jute bags are typically used for bulk commercial shipments where cost-effective transport and ventilation are critical. They are suitable for wholesale markets and industrial buyers.

✔ Carton Packaging (for High-Value Retail Markets)
Carton packaging is ideal for premium garlic exports to UAE, Europe, and East Asia, where branding, labeling, and shelf presentation matter. Cartons can be customized with importer labels, barcodes, and country-of-origin information.

Bhagat Brothers offers custom packaging solutions based on importer requirements and destination country regulations, allowing buyers to align logistics, branding, and cold-chain practices. Importers can also explore complementary products such as mesh bags and jute bags for fresh produce.

4. Pre-Shipment Quality Checks Importers Should Expect

Professional exporters conduct thorough inspections before dispatch to minimize claims and ensure that onion and garlic shipments meet agreed specifications. Importers should work with suppliers who share transparent inspection reports and are familiar with international standards.

✔ Physical Quality Inspection
Detailed checks for size, color, visible damage, and uniformity of bulbs. Random sampling is typically carried out at the grading and packing stage.

✔ Lab Testing (On Request)
Laboratory analysis may include pesticide residue testing, heavy metals, and microbial safety, depending on import country requirements. This is particularly important for Europe and premium retail markets.

✔ Moisture Testing
Moisture levels are checked to ensure long shelf-life during transit and storage, reducing the risk of rotting or sprouting in onions and garlic.

✔ Weight Accuracy
Each bag or carton is monitored for correct net content to comply with labeling regulations and buyer contracts.

Bhagat Brothers follows international export protocols, backed by experience working with freight partners and APEDA guidelines. This gives importers confidence that every onion and garlic shipment is checked, documented, and compliant before loading.

5. How Bhagat Brothers Ensures Consistent Quality & Timely Shipments

With over 12 years in export operations, Bhagat Brothers has built a supply chain designed for reliability, quality consistency, and transparency. This integrated system is especially valuable for buyers who depend on uninterrupted imports of Indian onions and garlic.

✔ 1. Strong Sourcing Network
Direct procurement from premium farming belts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra ensures access to high-quality onions and garlic throughout the year.

✔ 2. Multi-Stage Grading System
Sorting and cleaning are performed under trained supervision, using defined grading standards for size and quality. This reduces variation within each lot and meets importer specifications.

✔ 3. Custom Packaging & Labeling
Mesh, jute, or carton packaging can be selected based on importer needs and destination market. Labels can include branding, barcodes, and regulatory details as required.

✔ 4. Verified Export Compliance
IEC: GAGPB3389R
APEDA Registration: 219708
Experience with global shipping ensures smooth customs processing and adherence to export regulations for fresh onions and garlic.

✔ 5. Logistics Excellence
Timely dispatches through major ports, reliable freight partners, and a complete documentation set (Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, etc.) help importers manage supply chains efficiently.

✔ 6. Long-Term Customer Commitment
Bhagat Brothers builds partnerships—not just transactions—ensuring trust, repeat business, and tailored solutions for each buyer. Importers looking for a long-term Indian onion and garlic supplier benefit from transparent communication and consistent service.

6. Popular Markets Importing Indian Onions & Garlic

India exports fresh onions and garlic primarily to a wide range of markets, each with specific size and quality preferences. Understanding these nuances helps importers and distributors plan their product mix and branding.

Key importing regions include the UAE, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, select European markets, Gulf countries, and Africa. While some buyers prioritize pungency and size, others focus on shelf-life and visual appearance for retail shelves.

Bhagat Brothers adapts sourcing and grading to match buyer expectations in each region, ensuring that onions and garlic exported from India align with local cooking styles, retail formats, and regulatory standards. Importers can discuss tailored specifications for their target market via a dedicated fresh onion and garlic sourcing program.

Conclusion: The Smart Way to Import Onions & Garlic — Partner with Bhagat Brothers

Importing perishable agri-products requires technical knowledge, strong sourcing, and reliable logistics. With over a decade of experience, verified compliance, and a commitment to quality, Bhagat Brothers ensures that every onion and garlic shipment meets international expectations—on time and without compromise.

If you are a distributor, wholesaler, food service buyer, or retail supplier, Bhagat Brothers provides consistent quality, transparent processes, export-grade packaging, complete documentation, and reliable shipping schedules. Choosing the right Indian onion and garlic exporter can transform your fresh produce category into a stable, profitable growth engine.