Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Centre Begins ₹35/kg Onion Sales as Prices Surge
Onion prices have gone up in many Indian cities.
To help shoppers, the government started selling some onions in Delhi for ₹35 per kilogram.
These onions come from a large government reserve.
Nafed, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar are helping sell them through stores and mobile vans.
Mother Dairy’s Safal stores may also sell the onions.
Trains called “Kanda Express” are carrying onions from Nashik to Delhi and other cities.
The government says there are enough onions for the coming months.
Officials have cited seasonal demand and supply problems, while one official also blamed hoarding, black marketing and profiteering.
The Centre began selling onions at ₹35 per kg in Delhi on Thursday from its 1.21 lakh-tonne buffer stock.
Nafed, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar are managing sales, with Mother Dairy’s Safal stores also involved.
NCCF is moving onions from Nashik using the “Kanda Express,” including a first rake carrying 800 tonnes.
Delhi onion prices reached ₹62 per kg on Thursday, while prices had reached ₹55-60 per kg in several cities.
The government says supplies are adequate, but officials differ on whether seasonal factors or hoarding and profiteering drove the price rise.
- Who
- The Union government, Nafed, NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar and Mother Dairy’s Safal stores are involved; officials mentioned include Pralhad Joshi, Nidhi Khare and Anice Joseph Chandra.
- What
- The Centre began retailing buffer-stock onions at a subsidised price of ₹35 per kg in Delhi.
- When
- Sales began on Thursday, August 27, after the plan was announced on August 26; expansion to the NCR was planned by the weekend.
- Where
- Initial sales are in Delhi, with supplies planned for the NCR, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Varanasi, Kochi, Guwahati, Chennai, Ernakulam and Madurai.
- Why
- The intervention aims to provide consumer relief and curb onion prices that have risen sharply.
Price and Supply Concerns
Government’s Response
Extent of the price rise
Price and Supply Concerns
Consumers faced sharply higher prices: Delhi reached ₹62 per kg on Thursday, while Chennai and Kolkata were reported at ₹60, Mumbai at ₹48 and Ranchi at ₹38.
Government’s Response
The Centre is releasing buffer-stock onions at ₹35 per kg through several retail agencies to provide relief and moderate prices.
Reasons for higher prices
Price and Supply Concerns
Nidhi Khare attributed the rise to black marketing, hoarding and profiteering.
Government’s Response
Other officials and ministry statements cited the usual August-September seasonal increase, festive demand, weather disruptions, supply-chain movements and changing consumption patterns.
Supply outlook and exports
Price and Supply Concerns
The price surge has prompted calls for intervention, and the government is monitoring prices, arrivals and availability to prevent unwarranted increases.
Government’s Response
The government says supplies are comfortable, does not plan to ban onion exports, and points to production broadly matching the previous year; exports during April-June 2026 were approximately 3.82 lakh tonnes.
- Subsidised price
- ₹35 per kg
- Government buffer stock
- 1.21 lakh tonnes of onions maintained for 2026
- NCCF stock and shipment
- NCCF holds about 62,000 tonnes; consignments are being transported from Nashik
- Retail network
- Sales involve 100 Kendriya Bhandar stores, possible Mother Dairy outlets and mobile vans increasing from 15 to 40
- Delhi market price
- ₹62 per kg on Thursday, according to PTI
- All-India average retail price
- ₹44.72 per kg on August 25, up more than 28% in one month and 56% year-on-year
- Estimated production
- 307.37 lakh tonnes in 2025-26, compared with 307.67 lakh tonnes the previous year
Sources
Centre to sell onions at Rs 35/kg in Delhi from Thursday amid price surge
Centre To Sell Onions At ₹35/kg In Delhi As Prices Surge
Centre to Sell Onions at Rs 35/kg in Delhi amid Price Surge
Centre starts selling onion at a discounted price of Rs 35 per kg in national capital
