Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 5: In a relief for consumers, onion prices have been registering a decline because of a steady inflow of onions from growers to the market,

At the central market here, onion was sold by wholesalers a Rs 52 a kilogram on Saturday January 3. In retail market however, onion prices hovered around Rs 60 per kilogram.

Onion prices which were around Rs 50 per kilogram during the first week of November 1, 2019 due to the destruction of onion crops following floods, steadily rose to the level of Rs 180 to 190 per kilogram during the second week of December. Although onion was imported from Egypt and Turkey to replenish the stocks, the prices remained beyond the reach of poor people because of inadequate imports.

With the arrival of fresh stock into the market, prices are going down. It is gathered that retailers have not reduced the prices to the desirable extent even though wholesalers have brought down prices as there is bar on hoarding and huge inflow of onions is expected during the following weeks from growers.

Maharashtra and Karnataka have been the largest contributors to onion market. The fact that there have not been heavy rains of late, good yield is expected. Onions command prices depending upon their quality and size.