Though imported onions have started trickling into the markets of the country, prices are showing no signs of declining and have skyrocketed to Rs 60 a kg in several cities. Trade estimates say that by the end of August, around 50 containers of onion from Egypt are expected to reach the Mumbai port, while 18 trucks of onion from Afghanistan have reached Azadpur market in Delhi.

On Saturday, average price of onion at Lasalgaon wholesale market had risen to a two-year high of Rs 5,700 per quintal. Retail prices of onion across major cities crossed Rs 60 per kg. Escalation of onion prices, especially before elections in Bihar, has been a cause of worry and the government had increased Minimum Export Price (MEP) to $700 per tonne.

As prices rose, there was a steep decline in arrival of the produce at Lasalgaon market. On Saturday, only 2,000 quintal of onion reached against 12,000 quintal a year back. The state government is also on guard against any hoarding of onions by traders and merchants. MoS for marketing, Ram Shinde had also spoken about a special squad to check hoarding but no such team has been deployed.

Last week, the district supply office (DSO) of Nashik surveyed traders in the district. Officers attached with the search said it was carried out on the orders of the central government to learn about the quantity of onion stock available. Premises of over 375 traders were inspected and the district was found to have 1.5 lakh quintal of onion. Officers associated with the survey said they have not come across incidents of hoarding, as of now.

Nanasaheb Patil, chairman of the Lasalgaon Market Committee said traders have confirmed about the imports but are not divulging details. Patil said most of the onion import would be from Egypt.

Officers associated with Nashik-based National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF), on the condition of anonymity, said hoarding might have something to do with the price rise. “The landing cost of onions from Egypt in India is around Rs 30-35 per kg. Many traders in Mumbai are importing the produce from Eqypt. Traders in Delhi are importing onions from Afghanistan via Pakistan,” said an officer.

An internal survey of NHRDF put the stored stock of onion at around 13 lakh quintal in the beginning of August. Patil said that on August 27, tenders floated by the government to procure onion will be opened. The government, through MMTC, floated the tenders to procure 10,000 quintal of onions after a similar bid by NAFED did not evoke any response.

Source:indianexpress.com