Bhubaneswar, Oct 27: The prices of onion in Odisha have almost doubled in a month which has affeced kithens in Odisha.
A kilogram of Onion which was being fetched for Rs 23 to 25 has now crossed Rs 50 for over three weeks. Onion which is one of the essential vegetables used with spices, both in veg and non-veg Odia delicacies now goes dearer for the consumers.
Owing to supply disruptions in Nashik, the kitchen staple is now being sold at Rs 50-60 a kg. Some vegetable vendors in Bhubaneswar are even selling big size, sweet onions at Rs 80 a kg, sources said.
Responding to media queries, General Secretary of Odisha Byabasayee Mahasangha, Sudhakar Panda said, onion prices generally shoot up in August- November almost every year before new production.
“The prices are expected to decrease by November 15 when large quantity of new onions arrives in the market from Bengaluru and Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra,” Panda said.
However, Panda alleged that illegal hoarding of onion by a handful of stockists, for a better lump sum profit at deficit of onion in the market, has been another reason behind the skyrockting prices. The enforcement departments should check it before onion prices hit kitchens.
Database of the Department of Consumer Affairs reveals, Odisha consumes around 1500 tonne onion daily.
On the other hand the national market status of onion trading reveals,the average wholesale price of onions reached Rs 3,112.6 per quintal as on October 26, a significant increase from Rs 2,506.62 per quintal from October 1. The average wholesale price at the Lasalgaon Wholesale APMC in Maharashtra alone has spiked by nearly 60 per cent in the past two weeks.
Apart from it,on August 25, the central government had imposed a 40 percent duty on onion exports which made the interstate onion trading even dearer.
The prices had then begun to rise due to delayed and reduced kharif crop sowing.
In view of consumers’ welfare, the government in few states have started selling onions procured by Nafed in wholesale markets below prevailing market rates to curb the rising prices.
