Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Indian Onion Prices Surge Up To 40% Ahead Of Festivals
Onions have become much more expensive in several parts of India.
In some major cities, people are paying between Rs 50 and Rs 60 for a kilogram.
Bhubaneswar saw prices nearly double in just two days.
Wholesale prices also rose sharply at Lasalgaon, a major onion market.
Farmers’ new kharif onions have been arriving more slowly because sowing was delayed.
At the same time, people are buying more onions for the festive season.
These two factors have made supply smaller than demand.
The government is reportedly considering releasing onions from its stored buffer stock in September.
This could help bring prices down for consumers.
Average retail onion prices reached about Rs 40.72 per kg, while major cities reported rates of Rs 50-60 per kg.
Bhubaneswar prices nearly doubled in two days, rising from Rs 25-30 to Rs 55-60 per kg.
Wholesale prices at Maharashtra’s Lasalgaon market increased by roughly 30-42% in one week.
The average retail price was reported at Rs 40.79 per kg on August 21, up from Rs 34.87 on July 21 and Rs 28.72 a year earlier.
Delayed sowing, slower arrival of the new kharif crop and stronger festive demand have widened the supply gap.
- Who
- Consumers, retailers, wholesalers and the Indian government are involved; onion farmers are affected by delayed sowing and crop arrivals.
- What
- Onion prices have risen sharply, by up to 40% in one week in some wholesale markets and to Rs 50-60 per kg in several cities.
- When
- The sharp increase was reported ahead of the festive season; prices were compared on August 21 with July 21 and August 21, 2025.
- Where
- Several parts of India, including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Bengaluru, Patna, Lasalgaon and Azadpur mandi.
- Why
- Delayed sowing has slowed arrivals of the new kharif onion crop, while festive-season demand has increased.
- Average retail price
- About Rs 40.72 per kg; another cited figure for August 21 was Rs 40.79 per kg.
- Major-city prices
- Delhi-NCR: Rs 50-55; Mumbai: Rs 52-58; Kolkata: Rs 55-60 per kg.
- Other city prices
- Chennai: Rs 48-54; Bengaluru: Rs 45-52; Patna: Rs 48-55 per kg.
- Bhubaneswar increase
- Prices rose from Rs 25-30 to Rs 55-60 per kg within two days.
- Lasalgaon wholesale prices
- Prices rose about 30-42% in one week to Rs 3,195-3,600 per quintal, or roughly Rs 32-36 per kg.
- Annual change
- The reported average retail price rose from Rs 28.72 per kg on August 21, 2025, to Rs 40.79 per kg in the later comparison.
- Possible government response
- The government is reportedly planning to release onions from its buffer stock from September.