Onion prices make consumers cry: Check rates in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai

India grows two types of onions: the red with the shelf life of two weeks and pink with a shelf life of nearly six months

The rising onion prices across several cities have left customers worried. According to NDTV, the price of onions has risen from Rs 40-60 kg to Rs 70-80 per kg at the wholesale markets.

Across India, onion prices continue to be high with averages reaching around Rs 80 per kg.

"The price of onions has risen from Rs  60 to Rs 70 per kilo. We source it from the mandi so the prices we receive from there affect the prices on which we sell it. There has been a reduction in sales because of the price hike but people are still purchasing it since it is an important part of food eating habits here,” a seller at a market in Delhi told ANI.

Onion prices in Chandigarh surged to Rs 100 per kilogram on Sunday as limited supply continued to impact the market.

Traders told Indian Express they are relying on supplies from Khairthal, a small town in Rajasthan, instead of the usual onion stock from Nasik, Maharashtra.

“There is an extreme scarcity of supply. Currently, we are getting onions from Khairthal.” Wholesale prices have jumped from Rs 24 to Rs 55 per kg, pushing retail prices to Rs 100 per kg,” Deepak Kumar, a wholesale trader at Sector 26 grain market told IE. According to Kumar, he suffered a loss of Rs 21 lakh in a month due to the high prices.

According to traders, damaged crops and heavy rainfall are some of the factors that have led to the price rise.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, onion prices have also hiked in the same manner. Dr Khan, another buyer, told ANI, ”Onion and garlic prices have multiplied and are affecting the household’s expenses heavily. Recently, I have had to pay Rs 360 for 5 kilos of onions.”

Kishore, who is a seller blamed inflation for the price hike but also noted the sustained demand. “Prices have gone high to around Rs 70-75 but people are still buying because it is a staple,” he said.

Aakash, another buyer, told ANI, "Prices of onions have hiked up. The price of onions has risen from 40-60 ₹ per kilo to 70-80 ₹ per kilo. But like Sensex hike and fall, the onion price will also come down."

A report by Economic Times said the maximum price of best quality onions jumped to Rs 70 per kg from Rs 51/kg a fortnight back, while the average prices have increased to Rs 58/kg from Rs 51/kg during the same period at the Pimpalgaon market in Nashik.