Onion Prices Hit Two-year High at Rs 4,900 per Quintal

Wholesale prices of onions has shot up by Rs 400 to touch Rs 4900 per quintal — a two-year high

Even as Delhi grapples with soaring onion prices, wholesale prices today hit a two year high of Rs 4,900 per quintal, after it shot up by Rs 400 at the country’s largest wholesale market in Lasalgaon, Nashik.

As per NHRDF data, onions which were selling at a wholesale price of Rs 4,500 per quintal at Lasalgaon, today rose to Rs 4,900 per quintal.

Prices have today touched two-year high at Lasalgaon mainly due to decline in supplies as harvesting of onion has been delayed and now it seems that there will also be fall in production of kharif onion. Besides, the harvesting of onion has got delayed in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
— R P Gupta, Director of National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF)

Gupta said that there are chances of substantial decline in kharif onion production from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh due to deficient rainfall, while there is also a threat of drought in these states.

In order to keep prices of onions in check and ensure smooth supplies, the centre has already asked state-owned MMTC to float a global tender for import of 10,000 tonnes of onions.

Retail prices of onion have already touched Rs 80 per kilo in Delhi. In its bid to offer relief to consumers from high prices, the Delhi government has facilitated sale of onions at a subsidised rate of Rs 30 per kilo. 

(With inputs from PTI)