Rising heat, drought in Maharashtra and southern India may hit onion prices

The fear of price rise gained momentum after reports surfaced that the NAFED procured 50,000 tonnes of onion this season

High temperature in most areas and the fear of drought may hit onion prices. Maharashtra and south India, which produce 60 per cent of the bulb, are battling high temperatures and experiencing drought conditions like last year.

Onion prices are selling at Rs 12 per kg in Lasalgaon mandi in Maharashtra. A government official said rabi sowing in Maharashtra has fallen 15-20 per cent and prices are already at Rs 12 in Lasalgaon, which raises fears of mounting pressure on prices around August.
 

Onion is a sensitive commodity and last year there was a problem of plenty, with low quality onion