Rising sugar and onion prices have affected household budgets across the country. Meanwhile, the government has started increasing onion supply from Nashik. The supply aims to reach Delhi and other cities facing higher prices.
However, Asia’s largest fruit and vegetable market, Azadpur Mandi, still faces slow onion arrivals. Wholesale traders told ABP News that supply remains limited. They also said fresh crops have not reached the market yet.
Currently, traders fear further onion price increases in coming days. A truck carrying around 25 tonnes of onions from Nashik has reached Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi. The government hopes regular Maharashtra supplies will improve availability and control prices.
Azadpur Mandi onion rates show continued pressure
According to wholesale seller Deepak, Nashik and Maharashtra markets have similar onion prices. At Azadpur Mandi, normal quality onions sell between Rs 32 and Rs 35 per kilogram.
Super quality onions cost around Rs 45 to Rs 47 per kilogram. Medium quality onions sell near Rs 35 per kilogram. Slightly better quality onions cost around Rs 38 per kilogram.
Cheaper onions are available around Rs 25 per kilogram. Damaged and poor-quality onions sell near Rs 20 per kilogram.
Traders said onion prices increased by around Rs 2 to Rs 4 per kilogram during the last one or two weeks. A trader explained that a 52-kilogram onion sack costs around Rs 33 to Rs 34 per kilogram.
Additionally, transportation from Maharashtra to Delhi adds nearly Rs 5 per kilogram. Earlier, Azadpur Mandi remained crowded during normal trading days. However, reduced arrivals have slowed wholesale activities.
Old stock dominates as traders await fresh crop
At present, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh supply onions to Azadpur Mandi. However, traders said shortages continue from the supply side.
They reported lower arrivals during the last 10 days. After rainfall, moisture damaged some onion stock. Therefore, usable onion availability has reduced.
Several trucks from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan stand at the market. Still, traders believe truck arrivals alone cannot solve the supply issue.
They said most onions currently sold come from older stock. The market still depends on May’s crop. Meanwhile, farmers are holding their produce and avoiding sales at lower prices.
Traders warn of further price pressure
According to traders, the new onion crop has not arrived yet. Therefore, markets continue waiting for fresh supplies.
They warned that prices may rise further if new crop arrivals do not increase soon. Traders said onion prices have almost doubled during the last 50 days.
Now, attention remains on Maharashtra supplies and their impact on Delhi markets. Until fresh crops increase, onion prices may continue facing pressure.
