Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Government Begins Buffer Onion Releases Ahead of Festive Demand
The government is releasing onions from its stored supplies.
This is happening before festivals and weddings, when people usually buy more onions.
The government expects onion production to remain strong.
It has bought about 1.21 lakh tonnes of onions for its storage program.
Some onions are being sold at ₹35 per kilogram through shops, outlets, and mobile vans.
Trains are also carrying onions from Nashik to cities across India.
Officials will decide how many more onions to release by watching prices, supplies, and demand.
On August 26, the average retail price of onions across India was ₹37.87 per kilogram.
Onion production for 2025-26 is estimated at 307.37 lakh tonnes, close to the previous year’s 307.67 lakh tonnes.
The government has procured about 1.21 lakh tonnes of Rabi onion toward a 2 lakh-tonne buffer target for 2026-27.
Retail onions are being sold at ₹35 per kg through NCCF, NAFED, Safal, Kendriya Bhandar, and mobile vans.
Kanda Express transported nearly 88,000 tonnes to 16 cities through 86 railway rakes in 2025-26.
The all-India average retail onion price was ₹37.87 per kg on August 26, with further releases to depend on market conditions and demand.
- Who
- The Government of India, working through NAFED, NCCF, the Central Warehousing Corporation, Safal, and Kendriya Bhandar.
- What
- The government has started releasing buffer onions and selling them at controlled retail prices ahead of increased seasonal demand.
- When
- The releases began ahead of the festive and wedding season; the reported average retail price was recorded on August 26.
- Where
- Sales are taking place through outlets and mobile vans, while consignments are being sent from Nashik to Delhi-NCR and other Indian cities.
- Why
- To help ensure adequate onion supplies and manage prices as demand rises during the festive and wedding season.
- Estimated onion production, 2025-26
- 307.37 lakh tonnes
- Previous-year production
- 307.67 lakh tonnes
- Rabi onion procurement target, 2026-27
- 2 lakh tonnes
- Rabi onion procured so far
- About 1.21 lakh tonnes
- Government retail sale price
- ₹35 per kg
- Average onion retail price on August 26
- ₹37.87 per kg
- Kanda Express shipments, 2025-26
- Nearly 88,000 tonnes through 86 railway rakes to 16 cities