Wholesale onion rates drops slightly

Onion prices fell marginally to Rs 17.69/kg in the wholesale market at Nashik, Maharashtra, the major producing region in the country, but rates remained stable in the National Capital.

At Lasalgoan mandi in Nashik, onion prices eased to Rs 17.69/kg from yesterday's Rs 18.21 per kg, according to data maintained by National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF). Prices have dipped by over Rs 4 per kg at Lasalgaon since February 1.

In the National Capital, wholesale prices remained stable at yesterday's level of Rs 21/kg. At organised retail outlets, onion is currently being sold at Rs 28 per kg, but local vendors are charging as high as Rs 40 per kg.

"Prices have declined by Rs 5 per kg from Rs 26 per kg last week. Supply position is normal," Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Azadpur Chairman Rajinder Kumar Sharma said.

Wholesale onion rates drop slightly at Nashik; stable in Delhi:

Prices would ease further when supplies from Rajasthan start reaching Delhi market from February 25, he added.

The government is closely monitoring the price movement of onions both in wholesale and retail markets as commodity is a politically sensitive food item.

Onion production is expected to be close to last year's level of 174 lakh tonnes even as total area under the crop is down by 10 per cent this year.

During April-January period of this fiscal, onion exports stood at 13,78,545 tonnes valued at Rs 1,172.23 crore. In 2011-12 fiscal, shipments stood at 15,52,904 tonnes worth Rs 2,141.42 crore.