Onion prices slide with arrival of new crops

Nashik, Dec 11 (UNI) The prices of Onions in Maharashtra continued to slide downwards due to arrival of the new crop at the Lasalgaon Agricultural produce market committee (APMC), Asia's no one market.

Last week, the total inflow of onions at the APMC here was 76,610 quintals. Best quality onions were available at Rs 790 per quintal whereas normal quality onions were sold at Rs 602 per quintal.

Yesterday, a total of 25,410 quintals of onions arrived at APMC.

Out of the lot 16,435 quintals were sold at Rs 401 (minimum) to Rs 751 (maximum) and Rs 461 (average) rate.

The trend continued today with as many as 21,000 quintals arriving at the APMC. The rates were Rs 381 (minimum), Rs 681 (maximum) and Rs 441 (average).

At Pimpalgaon APMC, 21,825 quintal onions arrived today and the rates were Rs 411 (minimum) Rs 601 (maximum) and Rs 475 (average).

The retail prices of onions in the market was Rs 10 to 12 per kg.

At these rates farmers are getting only the production price of the onions, which is Rs 300-350 per quintal. The decrease in price is a worry for farmers as this year the per acre production of onions has also decreased due to bad weather, farmers said.

The new onions (Red) do not last long and due to this farmers have to sell it at the present rates. This has led to the growing inflow of onions in the market, resulting in decrease in prices.

According to experts, this slide in onion prices will continue in the coming days.

Meanwhile, memorandums have been sent to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, State Agriculture Minister Balasaheb Thorat, Commerce Minister Harshavardhan Patil, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil and District Guardian Minister Chhagan Bhujbal to take immediate action to stop the slide in onion prices.

UNI