In 2023, the average rate at which the Centre procured onions from Maharashtra was Rs 16.93 per kg. This year, it is procuring at around Rs 29.5 per kg via direct benefit transfer
The world's biggest exporter of onions is expected to see output fall by 16 per cent in 2023-24 amid lower yields
Spurt in prices triggers move as norms for pulses are also eased
Delhi is goinmg to polls again on February 8, this time too the onion price has been over Rs 100 since October 2019 and it was even sold at around Rs 200 per kg
Onion prices have come down to around Rs 60-70 per kg depending upon quality and locality from the peak of Rs 160 per kg last month
While the Centre alone can import onions, it depends on states for retailing them to consumers.
In metros, retail price of onion was ruling at Rs 120 /kg Kolkata, at Rs 102/kg in Delhi and Mumbai and at Rs 80/kg in Chennai, as per the data maintained by the consumer affairs ministry
The latest contract of onions will begin arriving in India from mid-January onwards
Onion prices have risen by 81 per cent in the last one month and are ruling above the Rs 100 per kg mark for the second week in a row
Danve said: "During 2019-20, there was a 3-4 weeks delay in sowing as well as the decline in sown area of the Kharif onion because of the late arrival of monsoon."
Onion prices started to climb from September and have averaged over Rs 100 per kg since November 25
The government's plan to import around 17,000 tonnes of onion is insufficient to meet the deficit
In most cities, onion was quoting above Rs 100/kg in the retail markets, while at Nashik in Maharashtra - the key producing centre - the rates were ruling at Rs 75/kg on Friday
The company had placed an order for the first consignment of 6,090 tonnes of onion from Egypt
The government is also facilitating private imports and also relaxed phytosanitary and fumigation norms till December
Traders who have imported onions without fumigation or having endorsement of such treatment on phytosanitary certificate will be allowed to fumigate in India through an accredited treatment provider
Last week, Paswan had attributed the sharp rise in onion prices to 30-40 per cent fall in domestic production
Onion prices have risen sharply for more than a month due to tight supply
State to come down hard on hoarders as prices hit Rs 80-100 a kg; stock ceiling not yet fixed
With 3,000 tonnes of imported onion entering the market over the next fortnight, the price should start cooling off. Soon after, the new crop of onions will arrive, further reducing prices