Retail onion prices continue to stay high

Onion prices are being quoted differently in different areas of the city owing to the disparity in prices of Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) and retailers, as the Pakistani onion and domestic arrivals have hit the market.

The APMC stockists are selling onions in the Rs 11-13 per kg range while in the retail market, the price is in the band of Rs 18-26 per kg.

Proximity to APMC and demand in the area are two factors defining the prices in the city.

At Churni Road onion is sold in the retail market at Rs 22, while at Vashi it is quoted at Rs 18 per kg.

The Matunga consumers pay Rs 20 per kg for onion, Breach Candy consumers Rs 26 per kg, Mira Road Rs 26 per kg and Borivli consumers Rs 25.

In Borivli itself, the prices range between Rs 18 and Rs 22 depending on region's proximity to the station.

"Stockists who bought in the range of Rs 15-16 per kg are selling to retailers at Rs 20 per kg. All depends on the buying prices of stockists," said a trader.

Two onion consignments from Pakistan were damaged completely because of careless loading.

"I imported two containers of 100-125 tonne at $200 per tonne, which includes freight, on which I am going to spend Rs 3.50 per kg as local transportation and packing charges. Now, my selling price would depend on the situation in the retail market," said the trader.

"In the domestic market, the condition of onion is not looking good this year as the size is very small. Onion crops in Hubli were damaged because of rains. The country will have to depend on Nashik for onion this year," the trader added.

The onion prices are all set to come down by the next week once the local arrivals will be in full swing.