Onion prices to ease as new crop hits mkts: Pawar

Retail prices of onion are expected to come down as the new crop has started arriving from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today.

"A new crop has started coming from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and some parts of Maharashtra, which is a good sign. The impact on retail prices will be seen eventually," he told reporters here.

Onion prices on December 20 had surged to Rs 70-85 per kg in the retail markets in major cities as a result of damage to crops in Maharashtra due of rains.

Prices have eased to Rs 55-60 in metros owing to ban on exports and duty-free import.

The minister said he had been informed that the onion traders in Nashik have withdrawn their strike, which began today, in protest of IT raids as well as few state governments forcing traders to sell onion below the cost price.

"I am told that Nashik traders have withdrawn the strike," he added.