Wholesale onion prices cool, down to Rs 45/kg in Lasalgaon

The retail prices are still ruling high up to Rs 80 per kg

Wholesale onion prices at Lasalgaon in Maharashtra, Asia's biggest bulb market, today fell further by Rs 3 per kg to Rs 45 on increased arrival of the crop.

The retail prices are still ruling high up to Rs 80 per kg across the country, making consumers' budget go haywire.

As per the data maintained by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, wholesale onion prices today declined to Rs 45 per kg at Lasalgaon mandi from Rs 48 per kg last week.

Onion prices had peaked to Rs 57 per kg on August 22.

The rates have started softening due to an increase in arrivals after the government restricted exports and decided to boost supply through imports.

According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry data, retail onion prices today are ruling at Rs 67/kg in Delhi , Rs 61/kg in Mumbai, Rs 50/kg in Kolkata and Rs 47/kg in Chennai.

In Aizwal and Varanasi, onion was retailing as high as Rs 80 per kg, the data showed.

To check prices, the Centre has approved bids -- floated by state-owned MMTC -- for import of 1,000 tonnes of onion at Rs 45 per kg and the shipments are expected to arrive by September 10.

MMTC, which has been asked to import onions till prices come under control, has floated the second tender for overseas purchase of 10,000 tonnes of the key kitchen staple.

That apart, the central agency SFAC, along with NAFED, is suppling onions through Mother Dairy's Safal outlets and booths of Delhi Milk Scheme for sale at subsidised rate in the national capital. Even the Delhi government is also selling onions at cheaper rate through fair price shops.

Last week, the government had said onion production this year is likely to be close to last year's level of 18.92 million tonnes.