Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (MS)
New Delhi, Nov 27: The price of onion, a vegetable that is essential for Indian cooking, has really made the citizens of the country shed tears as it has become difficult to afford it.
The prices of onion which were hovering around Rs 80 per kg in the month of August and September have suddenly shot to Rs 100 to 120 per kilo as the end of November month is fast approaching.
The main reason for this astronomical rise is the extensive loss of crop due to the unexpected and unseasonal rainfall in Maharashtra, the main region that grows onion in huge quantities. There has been a four-fold rise in the onion prices during the last three months in the wholesale markets due to which the retail market has seen relative jump in the prices.
Another reason for the spike in prices, as said by the farmers, is that the price of the old stock of onions will also be more because last year the crop was less due to shortage of rainfall.
According to an official of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) the public of the country will have to wait at least till mid-December for the prices to come down.
Wholesalers are buying the onions at Rs 3,000 to 3,400 per bag of 40 kg. This means that they are paying Rs 75 to 85 per kg. So the retail price naturally is quoted beyond Rs 100 per kg. The damage of onion crop was so severe this year because of the sudden and heavy rain water seeping into the warehouses that six tonnes of onion for every 20 tonnes had to be thrown away due to rotting.
The present stock with the wholesalers is likely to be enough for another 15 days. Then the prices may shoot up again.
It is true that when the temperature is going down in the months of November and December, the prices of onions have turned the heat on the buyers.