Onion prices rose by about '300 per quintal in most agriculture produce market committee (APMC) yards in Nashik on Monday after the Centre opened up exports of the crop. The average prices in Lasalgaon, Niphad and Pimpalgaon Baswant APMCs were Rs 1,400, Rs 1,251 and Rs 1,351 per quintal respectively.
The Centre had removed the minimum export price (MEP) on Thursday, December 25 to allow unhindered exports of the onion that was flooding the market.
Speaking to The Asian Age, Chandwad APMC chairman Dr Atmaram Kumbharde said that all were satisfied with the market prices. Farmers are getting fair prices for their crop and the consumers will also get a stable price. Presently Lasalgaon, Pimpalgaon Baswant are receiving over 15,000 quintals of onions daily while in Chandwad, Umrane and Mungsere, the arrivals are around 10,000 quintals daily.
“The prices will continue for the presentred variety of onions till the end of February. In early March, the Rangda variety will arrive, but the prices will continue to be stable. After Rangda production is exhausted in a month, the Unhal variety will arrive,” Dr Kumbharde said.
“Though the Centre removed the MEP on onions on Thursday, the markets were closed from Friday to Sunday due to various holidays. Hence the expectant farmers had to wait till Monday to get a better price,” stated farmer and MNS leader Vikram Rajabhau Kadam.
