Onion prices hit Rs 50 per kg in Kolkata

Retail onion prices rose to Rs 50 per kg in Kolkata, while rates in other metro cities also inched up to Rs 30-36 per kg due to tight supplies. The Agriculture and Consumer Affairs ministries are closely watching the price situation and alerted all states to keep a check on hoarding and profiteering.

Onion prices at Lasalgaon in Maharasthra, Asia's biggest wholesale onion market, have risen to Rs 26.50 per kg on Thursday from Rs 10.10 per kg on July 25 of this year.

As per data maintained by the Consumer Affairs Ministry, onion prices in Kolkata are ruling at Rs 50 per kg in retail markets and Rs 40 per kg in wholesale markets on Friday.

At present, the city's demand is met through supplies largely from Kurnool mandis, Andhra Pradesh and there too rates have increased to over Rs 32.50 per kg.

With rise in prices in Lasal gaon, traders from Kolkata and other states are buying more from Kurnool mandis because of which rates have gone up there, a Delhi trader said.

Prices are under pressure due to depleting old stock and expected less 2017-18 kharif output owing to lower sowing area in states like Karnataka and Maharashtra on account of inadequate rains, he added.