4 days ago
Pune Onion Prices Rise as Supplies Fall, Farmers Protest Intervention
Onions have become more expensive in Pune because fewer onions are reaching the wholesale market.
The market usually receives about 125 truckloads each day, but now gets only around 50.
Rain damaged some crops, and the next crop may arrive late.
Onion exports are also keeping supplies tighter.
This has pushed wholesale prices up to Rs 35-40 per kilogram for good onions.
The government sent a special train of onions from Nashik to Delhi to help lower prices there.
That action also caused onion prices in Nashik to fall by about 10 percent.
Farmers are unhappy because they say the lower prices hurt them after months of selling onions below their costs.
Restaurants are worried they may have to raise menu prices if expensive onions continue for several months.
Daily onion arrivals at Pune’s Gultekdi wholesale market have fallen from about 125 trucks to 50.
Wholesale onion prices range from Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg, while Pune retail prices reach over Rs 65.
Unseasonal April rains damaged crops, while delayed kharif arrivals and continuing exports are tightening supplies.
The government’s first Kanda Express carried about 453.65 tonnes from Nashik to Delhi to increase supplies.
Nashik growers say government intervention lowered prices just as farmers began recovering from earlier losses.
- Who
- Onion traders, growers, the government, Pune consumers, and restaurants are affected.
- What
- Onion prices have risen in Pune because wholesale arrivals have sharply declined, while government supply measures have lowered prices in Nashik.
- Where
- Pune’s Gultekdi APMC market, Nashik’s Lasalgaon APMC market, and Delhi and neighbouring cities.
- When
- The squeeze has developed over the past few weeks, after crop damage from unseasonal April rains; prices may remain elevated until Diwali if conditions persist.
- Why
- Supplies are tight because of reduced output, delayed kharif arrivals, and continuing exports; government intervention has also affected wholesale prices in Nashik.
Consumer and Government Concerns
Farmer and Trader Concerns
Government onion intervention
Consumer and Government Concerns
The government sent the first Kanda Express to Delhi to increase supplies and cool prices for consumers in Delhi and nearby cities.
Farmer and Trader Concerns
Onion growers say releasing buffer stocks at this time pushed Nashik prices down just as farmers were beginning to receive better returns.
Who should receive protection
Consumer and Government Concerns
Officials have acted quickly when prices rise to protect consumers from expensive onions.
Farmer and Trader Concerns
Growers say authorities rarely respond with equal urgency when prices crash, and their request for Rs 1,500 per quintal in compensation was not answered.
Effect of prolonged high prices
Consumer and Government Concerns
Additional supplies could help control prices for households and restaurants facing higher costs.
Farmer and Trader Concerns
Restaurants say onions are central to most gravies and curries, and sustained high prices could force them to raise menu prices and further reduce profits.
Key facts
- Pune daily requirement
- About 125 onion trucks, each carrying roughly 10,000 kg.
- Current Pune arrivals
- About 50 trucks per day.
- Pune wholesale prices
- Rs 35-40 per kg for good-quality onions and Rs 30-35 for lower-grade, older stock.
- Pune retail prices
- Rs 45 per kg to more than Rs 65 per kg, depending on locality and quality.
- Kanda Express shipment
- About 453.65 tonnes of onions transported from Nashik to Delhi.
- Lasalgaon price change
- Wholesale prices fell from Rs 4,250 to Rs 3,800 per quintal, a decline of about 10 percent.
- Farmers’ production-cost estimate
- About Rs 2,000 per quintal, according to the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association’s Nashik district president.
Quotes
Jaideep Bhadane
Nashik district president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association
“If the conditions remain the same, onion prices are likely to remain elevated, in the range of Rs 45-50 per kg, until Diwali. Though this could change depending on how the government steps in.”
indianexpress.com
“The hotel industry was already under pressure from the hike in LPG prices and rising costs of other essentials, and that expensive onions are now adding to the squeeze on profits.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Why Onion Prices Crossed ₹60 Amid Supply Pressures
Kanda Express Announced as Onion Prices Surge Nationwide
Onion Prices Surge in Telangana as Centre Expands Kanda Express
Indian Onion Prices Surge Up To 40% Ahead Of Festivals
Government Blames Speculation as Onion Prices Surge Despite Supplies
Bhopal Onion Prices Rise as Traders Warn of Further Surge
Mumbai Trains Election Officials Amid Statewide Electoral Roll Revision
Bombay Gymkhana Squash Finals Set After Junior Semifinals
NMMC Launches Navi Mumbai Drive to Protect Existing Trees
Maharashtra Ministers Seek End to Jarange Patil’s Maratha Quota Fast
Bhiwandi JCB Operator Assault Spurs Warehouse Work Dispute Investigation
