Onion: Due to damage to late standing Kharif crop in Lasalgaon, wholesale prices increased by 20%
On Monday, prices reached Rs 4,500/quintal in the wholesale onion market located in Niphad taluka of Lasalgaon. According to onion traders, there has been a one-day jump in the price of onion due to the harvested crop and rain. In many parts, the arrival of late season and kharif crops has started along with harvesting, due to which hailstorm has also been borne the brunt. Onions harvested in the field are being damaged due to hailstorm. The total extent of loss will be known in the coming 2 days. This year, due to late arrival of monsoon, there has been a delay in Kharif and late sowing. Kharif onion cultivation has increased compared to last year, but the crop is still suffering losses. To improve domestic availability of onions, the government has imposed a minimum export price of $800/tonne. Given the highly skewed supply-demand situation, onion prices are above Rs 3,500/quintal in most wholesale markets.