Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Egyptian Onions Reach Vashi Market as Indian Prices Stay High
Egyptian onions have started arriving at a large wholesale market in Vashi.
They are cheaper than Indian onions.
Hotels are buying them for some vegetable dishes.
Many families do not want them because traders say they are not good for making gravies.
Indian onions cost more in both wholesale and retail markets.
About 450 containers reportedly reached the nearby port, but only two had arrived at the market.
A trader said domestic onion production was lower this year because of reduced rainfall.
He expects more imports after Diwali and believes prices may rise further in 2027.
Two containers of Egyptian onions arrived at Vashi APMC after about 450 containers reached JNPA.
Imported onions cost traders about ₹30–₹32 per kg and sell wholesale for ₹38–₹40.
Indian onions sell wholesale for ₹40–₹50 per kg and retail for about ₹70–₹80.
Hotels are buying the cheaper Egyptian onions for vegetable preparations, while households largely avoid them.
Trader Manohar Totlani expects imports after Diwali and says prices could rise further in 2027.
- Who
- Traders, hotels, households, and onion buyers in the Vashi market are involved; trader Manohar Totlani provided comments.
- What
- Egyptian onions entered Vashi APMC, where they are being sold more cheaply than Indian onions but are receiving limited household demand.
- When
- Two containers arrived on Wednesday and Thursday; the trader discussed imports after Diwali and possible price rises in 2027.
- Where
- The onions arrived at the Agricultural Produce Market Committee market in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, after shipments reached Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.
- Why
- Lower domestic production and high Indian onion prices have encouraged imports and prompted hotels to buy the cheaper variety.
Household Buyers
Commercial Buyers
Quality and use
Household Buyers
Households generally prefer Indian onions because Egyptian onions are considered unsuitable for preparing gravies.
Commercial Buyers
Hotels are buying Egyptian onions because they are cheaper and can be used in vegetable preparations.
Whether imports can replace Indian onions
Household Buyers
The reported quality difference means Egyptian onions are unlikely to immediately replace Indian onions for household cooking.
Commercial Buyers
The price gap makes Egyptian onions a practical option for bulk commercial buyers.
- Imported onion wholesale price
- ₹38–₹40 per kg
- Imported onion trader purchase price
- About ₹30–₹32 per kg
- Indian onion wholesale price
- ₹40–₹50 per kg
- Indian onion retail price
- About ₹70–₹80 per kg
- Vashi arrivals
- Two containers arrived on Wednesday and Thursday
- Port arrivals
- About 450 containers reportedly reached JNPA
- Reported production factor
- Lower rainfall affected domestic onion production
- Expected imports
- The trader said imports would be needed after Diwali