Across the country, the prices of onions have fallen at the wholesale markets due to an increase in the arrivals of supplies from major production centres, yet the retail price of the vegetable is still bringing tears to most consumers' eyes.
As per information gathered from the District Mandi Board, the wholesale price of Rajasthan onion, the major exporter to Jalandhar market, is between Rs 5 and 6.50 per kg. However, the wholesale price of Nasik onion is between Rs 10-12 per kg.
Meanwhile, onions are being sold at the price of Rs 18 to Rs 20 in the retail market. Around 225 tonnes of onions arrive at the Jalandhar vegetable market daily.
The prices of onions rose to Rs 80 per kg around a year ago and the Central Government found it difficult to meet consumer demand. A campaign against onion hoarding was also initiated by the Centre.
An onion trader at the vegetable market in Jalandhar said that the price of onion in Maharashtra had dropped to as low as Re 1 to Rs 2 per kg due to a bumper crop.
Speaking to Jalandhar Tribune, Naveen, an onion trader, said the government had no check on the retailers. Despite the fact that it is the retailers who are responsible for the higher prices.
District Mandi Officer Varinder Khehra said one of the reasons the retail price is rising is that the retailer has to pay market fees, market commission and bear the losses of rotten produce.
