Retail Price Of Onion Touches Rs 140/kg In Some Cities

While retail onion prices have crossed Rs 100 per kg in many cities, the highest has been observed Rs 140/kg on Friday at Port Blair, as per data maintained by the Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Prices of the kitchen staple have been ruling at Rs 120 per kg in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata while it rests at around Rs 100 in Delhi. Rates are high in tier II and tier III as well.

On an average, onion prices were at Rs 110/kg on Friday, it said.

Prices are high for over a month due to a fall in production of the Kharif crop following unseasonal rainfall in key growing states, including Maharashtra.

To boost supply and contain price rise, the government has contracted over 21,000 tonnes of imports through state-run MMTC and the shipments are expected to arrive mid-January. The tender and fumigation norms have also been ease to facilitate early arrival of imported onions.

Among other measures, the government has already banned the export of onion, imposed stock limits on traders and is also supplying buffer stock at a cheaper rate.

Traders and experts are of the view that onion prices will continue to remain firm till January when new late Kharif crop will start hitting the market.

Inputs from PTI