Nashik: Onion prices are on the rise due to the late arrival of the new crop and the exhausting state of the stock of stored onions with the wholesalers. The prices have hit Rs 40 in the Nashik Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) market, which roughly means that Rs 80 per kg rate can be expected in the retail markets in the state.  

The highest rate of the season was seen in the Lasalgaon APMC market at Rs 40 per kg. “This is primarily due to the heavy demand from all over the country, especially the southern India. Though they grow onions there, the production was less this season,” said Dr Atmaram Kumbharde, chairman, Chandwad APMC.

He further said that the rates would continue to be the same till the first week of December. “Presently, the market is being supplied with both the stored unhal variety and the freshly harvested lal variety. Both these crops are competing for prices,” said Dr Kumbharde.

Leading onion trader Sushil Palod said that less quantity of onions were arriving in the APMCs and their quality too was low. “A bystander may see hundreds of tractors but the loading is less. However, prices may come down in a fortnight,” he said.

Natural disasters, including unseasonal rains and thunderstorms during the last three months have taken a till on the lal onion crop yield. The amount of lal onion will be less than usual, farmers claimed.