Buying Onions Might Leave Odisha Consumers Teary-Eyed; Prices Double In A Month

Bhubaneswar: The price of onion in Odisha has doubled in a month, leading to concerns about increasing household expenses and potential inflation.

Owing to supply disruptions in Nashik, the kitchen staple is now being sold at Rs 50-60 a kg. Some vegetable vendors in Bhubaneswar are even selling onions at Rs 80 a kg, sources said.

General Secretary of Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha, Sudhakar Panda told a local channel that onion prices shoot up in August- November almost every year due to seasonality. “The price is expected to decrease by November 15 when new onions arrive in the market from Bengaluru and Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

Panda also blamed business houses for hoarding onions and selling them at high prices during shortage. “While the farmers and vegetable retailers are blamed for the price rise, the government is mum on those who are actually responsible for the price rise,” he added.

Notably, Odisha consumes around 1500 tonne onion daily.

According to data from the Department of Consumer Affairs, the average wholesale price of onions reached Rs 3,112.6 per quintal on October 26, a significant increase from Rs 2,506.62 per quintal on October 1. The average wholesale price at the Lasalgaon Wholesale APMC in Maharashtra alone has spiked by nearly 60 per cent in the past two weeks, reported The Economic Times.

Experts quoted in the ET report further said that onion prices are also projected to continue rising until December, coinciding with the arrival of the delayed new kharif crop, which is expected about two months late.

On August 25, the central government had imposed a 40 percent duty on onion exports

The central government had on August 25 imposed a 40 percent duty on onion exports to improve domestic supplies and tame inflation during the upcoming festive season. The prices had then began to rise due to delayed and reduced kharif crop sowing. Additionally, the government started selling onions procured by Nafed in wholesale markets below prevailing market rates to curb rising prices.