Onion wholesale prices ease by Rs 9/kg at Lasalgaon

Onion prices fell by Rs 9 to Rs 41 per kg today in the wholesale market of Lasalgaon, in Nashik district of Maharashtra, on the back of increased arrivals of the commodity. 

According to data from the National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation, wholesale onion rates in Lasalgaon dipped to Rs 41/kg today from Rs 50/kg on December 31.

This was facilitated by an upsurge in arrivals to 17,640 quintals today, compared to 8,040 quintals on December 31.

However, wholesale prices at Pimpalgaon, another key market in Nashik district, remained stable at Rs 43 per kg.

Maharashtra and Karnataka are the major onion-producing states in the country, accounting for 40 per cent of the average annual output of 12 million tonnes.    

Meanwhile, in Delhi's Azadpur mandi -- Asia's biggest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables -- the prices of best-quality onions rose by Rs 2 per kg to Rs 45 per kg.     

"Supply was less due to fog, therefore the prices increased marginally to Rs 45 a kg," Tomato and Onion Merchant Association General Secretary Rajendra Sharma said.   

Around 800 tonnes of onions made their way into Azadpur mandi today, of which 60-70 tonnes were imported onions from Pakistan.     

Sharma noted that wholesale prices in the national capital would remain firm till January 14. "After Lohri, the arrivals would pick up from Gujarat and Maharashtra," he said.     

Retail prices of onion had surged to Rs 70-85 per kg on December 20-21 in major cities across the country after abnormal rainfall damaged crops in Maharashtra.     

The government had banned exports and removed import duty on onions to boost domestic supply and curb rising prices.

In addition, it asked state-owned trading agencies MMTC, STC and PEC to import onions.