Pune: The price of onions is rising across the country, while in Pakistan and Afghanistan, prices are dropping. Some traders are importing Afghan onions into India via Pakistan to sell in the Indian markets.
The red onions from Afghanistan, brought in through Pakistan, are impacting domestic onion producers and traders.
Traders report that these imported onions are being sold in Amritsar, Punjab, and Delhi markets. This imported produce is expected to gradually reach other markets as well.
The onion supplies from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are nearly exhausted. Currently, onions from Nashik, Chakan, and other markets in Maharashtra, as well as Madhya Pradesh, are being sold.
In Delhi, Afghan onions are being sold at prices ranging from ₹25 to ₹30 per kilogram. Despite this, traders indicate that the demand for Afghan onions is lower due to the superior quality of domestic onions.
Meanwhile, stored onions are being supplied to markets like Mahatma Phule Market in Chakan, with no new onions available for sale.
On Saturday, July 13, around 1,000 quintals of old onions arrived, fetching wholesale prices between ₹20 and ₹30 per kilogram. The overall supply has significantly decreased, according to Kailas Limbhore, Chairman, and Balasaheb Dhandre, Secretary, of Khed Agricultural Produce Market Committee.
Call for Central Government Control
Currently, the market is seeing supplies of old onions, with some markets also receiving Afghan onions. The stock of stored old onions in the country is gradually depleting.
If Afghan onions continue to enter the market, domestic onion prices could drop. Onion export traders Prashant Gore Patil, Manik Gore, Vikram Shinde, Ram Gore, Zamir Bhai Qazi, and Balasaheb Satpute have called for central government intervention to control this situation.
