Onion prices have surged across Indian markets, bringing them to around Rs 70-80 per kg in wholesale markets, up from an earlier Rs 40-60 per kg. In Goa, onions are currently priced at Rs 49 per kg as of November 13, 2024, per the Goa State Horticultural Corporation Ltd. The increase has affected sales, though onions remain a staple in local diets, keeping demand steady.
The price hike follows a long period of stable onion prices this year. Traders in Nashik, Maharashtra, India’s largest onion-producing district, attribute the increase to a dip in supply caused by delays in the kharif onion harvest. Typically, the kharif crop, sown in June and July, is harvested in October, but unseasonal rains in mid-October coupled with Diwali festivities delayed the harvest. Additionally, the late kharif crop, usually sown from September to October and harvested post-December, had lower-than-expected planting.
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The late-October rains also drove up prices of other vegetables in Goa, with Ladyfinger or Okra priced at Rs 60/kg, Cabbages Rs 50/kg, carrot Rs 88/kg, cauliflower Rs 65/kg, Cluster beans Rs 62/kg, french beans Rs 67/kg, Chilli Rs 45/kg, Potato Rs 44/kg, and Tomato Rs 34/kg
Despite the price rise, traders expect a potential dip in the coming days, driven by a larger-than-average kharif crop acreage of 3.82 lakh hectares this year. However, with limited late kharif sowing, the relief may be short-lived, especially as the season progresses into the rabi crop cycle. International demand for Indian onions has also risen, notably from Sri Lanka, the UAE, and Bangladesh, though supply remains limited.
