Onion auctions hit by farmers' protest against export ban; price falls 17%

The protest erupted after farmers came with their cartloads of onions from all across the state to cash in on the higher prices.

Onion auctions at the Lasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), Asia’s largest bulb selling mandi, were affected on Monday amid farmers’ protest against the stock limits and export ban.
 
The median onion price declined 17 per cent or Rs 6 a kg to trade at Rs 30 a kg on Monday, with arrivals of around 500 tonnes.
 
“Onion auctions were halted on Monday due to farmers’ unwillingness to sell their commodity at lower prices. The auction resumed in the evening following a meeting with the district magistrate,” said Jaydatta Sitaram Holkar, chairman, Lasalgaon APMC.
 
Thousands of farmers