Pricey onions will dampen Diwali spirit

PUNE: Onions will continue to bring tears even during Diwali as fresh onion supplies will increase only from November. With rains in production regions disturbing the supply chain, prices firmed last week across the country. Retail prices of quantity onions are still in the range of 60 per kg to 100 per kg in different parts of the country.

Wholesale prices in growing markets have firmed up by 30-50%. Despite a good supply of new crop in Bangalore, average wholesale prices have increased by 53% in October. Similarly, prices have gone up in markets like Pune, Ahmednagar and Hyderabad where supplies have picked up.

Fresh onions from Nashik will come to markets only from November. Daily arrival at Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon APMCs has been almost negligible in October and prices at these two markets, the largest in Asia for onion trade, have remained firm, with maximum prices nearing 60 per kg last week.

"The arrival of new onion from Maharashtra and Karnataka has been disturbed due to rainfall in recent days. It will however pick up pace from November onwards," said RP Gupta, director, National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation.

Stored onion from last year's rabi production is commanding a premium price.