Onion prices have eased by about Rs 200 a quintal from the start of this month in Maharashtra, but it could rise significantly in November-December, owing to a short supply, experts and traders said.
According to Nashik-based National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF), onion prices in the mandis of Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon in Maharashtra, the main growing belt, have come down below Rs 700 levels from about Rs 870 a quintal on September 1. However, marketmen and experts feel that onion prices would rise sharply during November-December on account of short supply.
“Onion prices in November-December will go up, may even cross Rs 1,000 a quintal in mandis, due to delay in arrival of Kharif crop in Maharashtra,” National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation Vice-Chairman C B Holkar said.
He said farmers have sold 60 per cent of onions from the April harvest and they are expected to bring in the remaining 40 per cent by October-end, beyond that period the quality of the edible bulbs would deteriorate. Holkar said the arrival of Kharif onions from Nashik region would be delayed and would pick up in January. Maharashtra produces 300,000-400,000 tonnes of onion during Kharif.
Traders said the short supply from Maharshtra in November would definitely have an impact on onion prices even as supply from Rajasthan and Haryana would start coming into the market.
The arrival of Kharif harvest of onions will pick up in November in Rajasthan and from mid-October in Karnataka. NHRDF Additional Director Satish Bhonde said farmers in Satara, Ahmednagar districts of Maharashtra, have added some more areas under onion this Kharif season.