Due to reduced arrival of onion, its price has again reached near Rs 80 per kg. However, this time the government is looking ready. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has said that the government will encourage import of onion from other countries, so that its prices will come down.

According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, it has been decided to encourage import of onions. This decision was taken in the inter-ministerial committee meeting held on Tuesday. The committee reviewed the availability and prices of onions again.

Indian missions in Afghanistan, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have been asked to supply onions to India. It is expected that onions will reach India in 80 to 100 containers soon. The decision to import onion indicates that its domestic availability is not sufficient. The government is trying to supply onions from Maharashtra and other southern states to northern India.

It is important to note that due to unseasonal rains and low arrival, onion prices have started touching the sky once again. A few days ago, onion sold for Rs 50 a kg is being sold today for Rs 80 a kg. The price on Monday was Rs 70 a kg. There is a possibility of further increase in the price of onion in the coming time.

Why Onion Prices are Increasing

Farmers say that the price is increasing due to shortage of onions in the market. Relief is not expected for the next 10-15 days. Due to the protests of farmers, there is a lot of bottleneck in the supply of onions and tomatoes in the mandis. Due to this, the prices of onion and tomato have increased. When onion goes from the wholesale market to the retail market, its price goes up to Rs 60 to 70 per kg. At the same time, tomato is being sold in the retail market at Rs 70 to 80 per kg.

Recently, to keep the price of onions and pulses under control, the central government had instructed NAFED to continue supplying pulses and onions from the buffer stock.