Onion prices zoom 90% in Nasik

Onion prices at Lasalgaon, the largest agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC) in the district, have zoomed over 90% in the last three weeks due to increased demand, less arrival of the crop, direct purchase by big retailers and rising exports, sources said.

At Pimpalgaon Baswant APMC, onions were being auctioned between Rs 1,255 to Rs 1,751 per quintal today. Prices were in the range of Rs 800 to Rs 900 per quintal in the beginning of August.

According to Changdevrao Holkar, vice chairman, NAFED, stock of onions in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh is almost exhausted, and farmers in Maharashtra are supplying the commodity from their "stored-stock".

The situation will change in October-November when new varieties of onion start arriving in APMCs, he added.