Onion output scales new record at 21 mt in 2015-16

Country's onion output is estimated to have touched the 21 million tonne mark — a new record — in the crop year ended June 2016, the government said on Monday.

Tomato production also rose 12 per cent to 18.4 mt in 2015-16 crop year as against 16.3 mt in the previous year. However, potato output declined 9 per cent to 43.7 mt compared with 48 mt last year.

"Production of onion is estimated to be around 21 million tonnes, which is 11 per cent higher than the previous year," the agriculture ministry said while releasing the third advance estimate of horticultural crops for 2015-16.

Onion output had dropped to 18.92 million tonnes in 2014-15 crop year (July-June) due to poor rains. The previous record was 19.4 mt in 2013-14.

"We have achieved a new record in onion production in 2015-16 as acreage rose buoyed by good weather and better prices during the sowing period," National Horticulture Board Managing Director A K Singh told PTI.

Potato production has dropped because of a fall in output in West Bengal, he said.

Higher onion output meant wholesale prices crashed to as low as Rs 7 per kg in producing states this year, from Rs 45 in the same period last year, according to the government data.

The government has announced export incentives to boost outbound shipments and enabled prices to firm up in the interest of farmers.

Total vegetable production is estimated at around 167 mt, which is almost the same as the previous year, while fruit output is expected to be higher by 2 per cent at 91 mt in 2015-16.

Production of spices is estimated to be around 6 mt, 4 per cent higher than the previous year.

The total horticulture output of the country is estimated to be around 283 mt during 2015-16 as against 280.98 mt in the previous year.