india suspended onion exports till jan15

Retail prices for onions across the city shot up to Rs 65-75 on Monday as traders blamed supply shortages due to unseasonal rain. Prices have gone up sharply in just five days, from Rs 35 per kg to between Rs 55 and Rs 75 per kg. At Mother Dairy's Safal outlets onions were sold at Rs 50 per kg Monday.

The government on Monday suspended onion exports till January 15 to try and control the skyrocketing prices.

"Unseasonal rains have affected the September-October crop badly. Delhi has exhausted stock from Alwar and Khairtal and the replenishment from Maharashtra is almost nil," said Brahma Yadav, chairman, Delhi Agricultural Marketing Board.

Added IA Khan, joint secretary of Azadpur marketing committee, "The average incoming stock at this time of the year is between 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes. But since December 17, we are getting an average of 700 to 800 tonnes produce."

The prices at the Mandi end (wholesale) on Monday ranged between Rs 15 (small onion) and R55 (best quality) compared to Sunday's Rs 15 to Rs 40 respectively. However, before it reaches the housewife, middlemen hike up the price.

Said Veena Juneja, a housewife from Mayur Vihar, "I was shocked when I heard the rate of Rs 60 per kg. I didn't buy any."

There is no respite any soon and prices may go further up.

"Prices may stabilise only after next week when we start getting supply from Neemuch and Gujarat," Khan informed.