Onion rate burns a hole in common man’s pocket

Nashik: Reduced arrival of onion stock has increased onion rates in Nashik vegetable markets by Rs 200 per quintal.

Sources said there is less onion in Nashik as onion stocks across the country have depleted. It is likely that onion rates will reach to Rs 20 per kg in Nashik markets soon.

While rains deterred some farmers from bringing their tuber crop to the market, others are awaiting higher rates. The rates have increased by an average of Rs 200 per quintal when compared to last week, said Dr Atmaram Kumbharde, chairman, Chandwad Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC).

The onion currently sold in the markets is the ‘unhal’ variety, which was harvested about six months ago and stored in onion chawls. While the stocks deplete due to dampness and also loss in weight, it fetches a premium price.

Dr Kumbharde said the present stock of onion in the country is getting depleted and with the next crop expected in November, the prices could rise to Rs 2,000 per quintal or Rs 20 per kg.

“The GST (Goods and Services Tax) has reduced transport prices by about 20 per cent and government policies have helped the transport onion by having no checks at state borders,” Dr. Kumbharde said.

 He added, “For example, the truck load rate from Nashik to Banga-lore, which was pre-GST Rs 35,000, has now come down to Rs 24,000. This has enabled more merchants to send their produce outside, and with demand, prices rise.”

In Chandwad APMC, the quintal rates were minimum Rs 400, maximum Rs 1,100 and average Rs 880 compared to Friday’s rate of minimum Rs 250, maximum Rs 767 and average Rs 650. Average quintal rates in Deola, Lasalgaon and Pimpalgaon APMC are Rs 850, Rs 870 and Rs 870 respectively.

Nashik is the largest producer of onion in the country and Lasalgaon APMC is the largest market in Asia.