The wholesale rate of onion in the Panjim market is Rs 45 per kg, while in Kolhapur and Belgaum – the chief exporter of onion to Goa – they are priced at Rs 40 per kg.
“Most farmers have faced a loss of onion crops due to heavy rains which have resulted in low onion production. Prices are likely to rise in the coming days. The new stock will come in September which can bring down prices,” Dayanand Amonkar, a vegetable wholesaler at Panjim market, said.
Last month onion prices fluctuated between Rs 30 and Rs 32, however, due to rains and low storage quality, most of the onions were spoilt in the neighbouring States, which resulted in increase of rates, said Amonkar.
However, the retail prices of other commonly used vegetables have dropped. Beans for instance, that last month were being sold at Rs 100 to 120 per kg are now available at Rs 50 per kg, while ginger and garlic which were sold at Rs 160 per kg are now selling at Rs 100 and Rs 120 respectively. Tomatoes prices too have come down and are being sold at Rs 30 a kg.
Meanwhile, with the fishing ban having been lifted, the cost of fish in Goa’s only wholesale fish market in Margao has come down. Speaking to Herald, a Margao fish trader said, “Though fishing in Goan water has commenced, there is also supply of fish from other States. That’s the reason why the rates of fish have come down.”
He hinted that resumption of fishing off Goa would further increase the supply, thus making fish more affordable for the people.
Currently, mackerels are available at Rs 135 per kg, while kingfish is sold at Rs 550 to Rs 600 per kg. However, there is no fresh ‘modso’ in the market, due to which frozen modso is sold at Rs 240 per kg. Just a fortnight ago, the fish rates had gone up tremendously, but they are now returning to normal.
