Jabalpur / Indore / Ratlam: Once again in the festive season, onions have brought tears to people’s eyes. Rising prices of onions have adversely affected the kitchen budget of every household. In Jabalpur, onions are currently being sold from Rs 80 to Rs 90 per kg. And in fact, in many places onion price has reached Rs 100 per kg.
Supply interrupted due to rain
In fact, due to heavy rains in the onion producing states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra, onion supply has been disrupted in other states of the country. The situation is similar in Maharashtra too. The result of which is visible in other parts of the country. So, onion prices have reached 80 to 90 rupees per kg. The situation with retail prices is such that by Diwali, onion prices can once again reach as high as Rs 100 per kg in many states. However, traders hope that after Dussehra, supply of onions will be normalized as per the demand.
Onion disrupted the kitchen budget
Due to the rising prices of onions, the kitchen budget of households has been disrupted. Because of which people have reduced consumption of onions. Housewives say that such expensive onion spoils the budget of the house, so until it gets cheaper, we will reduce its usage.
Profiteering is also a big reason
Ajay Aggarwal, President of the Bulk Potato-Onion Business Association, says that the prices of onions are rising in the upper market itself. Its effect is seen in the form of an increase in prices; its prices have increased in the capital Bhopal. Withdrawal of stock limit has given an undue impetus to hoarders.
Also read: Skyrocketing onion price may not come down soon
Onion reaches consumers at double rates
Business sources say hoarding is also a major reason for the price rise of onions. It may be known that the central government has now removed the stock limit on many products including potatoes and onions. Due to this, hoarders can keep any quantity of stock. The rate of onion in Jabalpur depot ranges from 40 to 50 rupees per kg, but as soon as the onion leaves the depot and reaches the customers, its price goes up to 60 to 70 rupees per kg. Profitability in onion is very high. In the depot, onion is still being sold for 40 to 50 rupees, but the supply chain which links the depot to the common man is involved in profiteering and it causes the prices to be hiked.
Onion comes from Nasik
Jabalpur is not the only consumer of onions, but the onions are also sent from Jabalpur to the surrounding districts. The production of onion in Jabalpur is negligible. Onion is cultivated in Jabalpur near Narsinghpur and Sagar, but it cannot be produced here during the rainy season. So a small quantity of onions which are in storage can be reached. Apart from this, a large quantity of onions comes from Khandwa to Jabalpur. During this season, Nasik supplies the highest quantity of onions; however, the supply of onions has been affected this year due to the rains.
Onion prices at 60 to 70 rupees per kg in the capital city of Bhopal
In the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, the price of onion which was being sold for 30 to 40 rupees for the last 10 days, has increased rapidly. Onions being sold at 30 to 40 rupees per kg are now priced at 60 to 70 rupees per kg. However, the price of small-sized onions still remains between 30 and 40 rupees; this was being sold between 15 to 25 rupees per kg till a few days ago.
Also read: Onion prices skyrocketing, central government to provide relief
Bumper supply of Onion in Ratlam
In view of the increased prices of onions in Ratlam, a bumper inward supply has started in the market. The situation is that there is no parking space left in the depot for onion tractor trolleys. More than a thousand trolleys loaded with onions have arrived in a single day.
Why is onion getting expensive?
Due to heavy rains in many areas of South India and Maharashtra for the past few days, onion crop has been destroyed in the fields. This has led onion prices to skyrocket. Crops have been damaged in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Karnataka. Normally, at this time, there is pressure on prices in the areas where there is a high demand for onions, but the supply has been affected due to the crop damaged by the rains.
