Small onion farmers in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, are struggling to obtain fair prices for their shallots due to limited export opportunities. The local onion market operates thrice a week, with prices set on market days. Currently, shallots are sold at ₹40 per kg, while retail prices reach ₹50 per kg, significantly lower than farmers' expectations. Rengasamy, a farmer from Gujiliamparai, highlighted that cultivating small onions on about one acre costs approximately ₹1 lakh, making it essential to sell at over ₹50 per kg to achieve profitability. The decline in export demand has exacerbated the situation, as traders like Marimuthu noted that exports of shallots from Dindigul to foreign markets have halted due to insufficient demand. This lack of export opportunities is directly affecting the prices farmers receive for their produce. Despite the current challenges, traders remain hopeful that market conditions will improve in the upcoming months, potentially benefiting local farmers.