After tomatoes, onion prices rise as supply falls in Maharashtra

Onion prices in the wholesale and retail markets have more than doubled in the past two weeks

Onion prices in the wholesale and retail markets have more than doubled in the past two weeks owing to a demand-supply gap.

Wholesale markets are selling onions at Rs20-Rs26 a kg. (Bachchan Kumar)

It comes after tomatoe prices touched Rs100 a kg.

Onions were sold at Rs20-Rs26 a kg in the wholesale market of Vashi-Turbhe APMC on Friday, compared to Rs10-Rs12 a kg a fortnight ago.

The retail market too has witnessed a spurt with the price rising from Rs15-Rs20 a kg on July 21 to Rs35-Rs40 a kg on Friday.

Ashok Walunj, former APMC director and a leading onion trader, said, “The Uttar Pradesh government purchased onions from farmers. During the monsoon, onions got wet and rotted in various state warehouses.”

Another reason for the spurt was that farmers in Madhya Pradesh had sown less onions this time and this had put pressure on Maharashtra, he said.

Maharashtra was exporting onions to other states for a better price, which had worsened the situation, he said.

According to another trader, the upward spiral would continue at least until the end of August.

“First, tomato prices shot up and now onions are pinching our pocket. How is the middle class expected to manage?” despaired Shanti Das, a housemaker.

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