Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 27: Rising onion prices are bound to make consumers shed tears this monsoon too, like most years.
The price of the kitchen staple has witnessed a hefty increase within a span of two to three weeks. From Rs 20, the price of the commodity has now gone up to Rs 35 and beyond at various markets in the capital city.
Apart from the spiraling prices of pulses, the skyrocketing onion price is starting to pinch the pockets of the commoner.
Sources at the Aiginia market here said the rise in prices is due to shortage of the commodity in the state.
The average price of onion has now recorded a whopping 60 per cent growth within a few weeks putting it firmly out of the reach of the poor.
Unit-I market general secretary Gayadhar Swain, while agreeing that onions are being sold in the market for over Rs 32 a kilo, said short supply was a main reason for the soaring prices.
“The present price, which is likely to remain steady for some days may increase further,” said Swain. “It would be difficult to regulate the current market price at least for a month until the new crop arrives in the market,” he added.
Swain said there has been a short supply of onions from Rajahmundry and Kurnool following crop damage due to rain. Currently, the state is dependent on supply from Nasik in Maharashtra.
Sources said onions from two major states Maharashtra and Karnataka will start arriving towards September-end and November-end respectively. However, Swain said heavy rain in these states may play spoilsport.
Experts said the state government has yet again failed to address the issue. Though it had alerted district collectors some months back to crack down on hoarders and unscrupulous traders who were stocking up the essential commodity, there have been no substantial checks and the increase in prices of pulses has remained unchecked. Lack of infrastructure and storage facilities is adding to the woes of onion farmers who are resorting to distress selling.
Sources said the daily requirement of the state is about 300 tonnes of onion and the capital city needs about 25 tonnes of onion daily. The market demand for onion till mid-June was met from local production from districts such as Nuapada and Bolangir.