Key facts
- 2 production clusters mapped, in Madhya Pradesh; Rajasthan; Gujarat; UP, Maharashtra; Gujarat; Karnataka; MP.
- Market guides for 18 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 10-14 MT) or LCL (typical).
Product overview
India is a major supplier of dehydrated onion, second in world trade to China/USA-origin product in many markets. The industry is concentrated around Mahuva in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, which dehydrates white onion varieties grown in Saurashtra; dehydrated garlic is produced from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh garlic (Madhya Pradesh alone produced 2.2 million t of garlic, per Spices Board).
Products include flakes (kibbled), chopped, minced, granules and powder in various mesh sizes, plus fried (crispy) onion. They are used by seasoning makers, snack and instant-noodle manufacturers, ready meals and food service.
Quality is defined by colour, moisture, microbiology (TPC, yeast and mould, coliforms) and mesh size. Buyers in Europe and Russia are long-standing customers, with growing demand from the Middle East and Asia.
HS note: Dried onion is 0712 20; dried garlic falls under 0712 90. Fried onion (crispy) may be classified under 2005 - check with your broker.
Specifications
| Moisture | ≤ 5-6% onion; ≤ 6% garlic (typical) |
|---|---|
| Colour | White to creamish (white onion); pink (red onion) (typical) |
| Mesh sizes | Flakes 8-20 mm; chopped 3-5 mm; minced 1-3 mm; granules 0.2-0.5 mm; powder 80-100 mesh (typical) |
| TPC | ≤ 100,000-500,000 cfu/g standard; lower for low-micro grades (typical) |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
White onion flakes / kibbled
Main export grade.
Chopped / minced / granules
Sized for seasonings and dry mixes.
Onion powder
80-100 mesh.
Red / pink onion products
Flakes and powder from red onion.
Garlic flakes, granules and powder
Dehydrated garlic in mesh grades.
Fried (crispy) onion
Fried in edible oil for toppings and biryani.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 10-25 kg double-poly-lined cartons | Hygroscopic - moisture barrier essential |
| Retail | Jars and pouches | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 10-14 MT (flakes) / 14-17 MT (powder) · 40' HC about 20-24 MT. Cartons; flakes are volume-limited
Customisation: Mesh size, low-micro grades, red/white onion, fried onion, retail jars
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Gujarat
Bhavnagar (Mahuva), Amreli, Rajkot
Mahuva dehydrated-onion cluster
Madhya Pradesh
Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam
Garlic production belt
Market requirements by region
European Union
EU seasoning makers buy flakes and powder against microbiological and pesticide specifications; Germany and the Netherlands are traditional buyers.
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. US buyers commonly require low-micro (steam/heat-treated) grades.
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. Food service and seasoning manufacturers in the Gulf buy flakes and fried onion.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
Dehydrated onion products are not covered by the fresh-onion export curbs of 2023-24; as of 2026-11 no restriction was found - verify current DGFT policy before quoting.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek on request
- • Accredited (NABL) lab report for moisture, aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbials
- • Pre-shipment and loading photographs, container seal record
- • Microbiology per lot (TPC, yeast/mould, coliforms, Salmonella)
- • Mesh and colour check
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • FSSC 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Certificate of analysis (microbiology, moisture)
- • Health certificate where required
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What forms of dehydrated onion do you supply?
Flakes (kibbled), chopped, minced, granules and powder, plus fried (crispy) onion.
Where is Indian dehydrated onion made?
Mainly in the Mahuva cluster of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, using white onion grown in Saurashtra.
What is the shelf life?
Typically 18-24 months in sealed, double-poly-lined cartons stored dry.
Can you supply low-micro grades?
Yes, low-microbial grades are available for buyers with stricter TPC requirements.
Request a quote for Dehydrated Garlic and Onion (Flakes, Granules, Powder)
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