Pune: The price of onions is expected to remain high during Diwali due to damage caused by incessant rainfall in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The heavy rains have delayed the arrival of new crops, leading to a shortage of supply. The wholesale prices of onions at the Lasalgaon market have been between ₹45-50/kg for over a month. The government has been trying to moderate prices by releasing onions from its buffer stock and using a special train to transport onions to Delhi.
The heavy rainfall in onion-growing regions has damaged the quality of the crop, further contributing to the shortage. This has caused prices of not only onions but also tomatoes and cooking oils to increase. The rise in food prices led to a spike in retail inflation in September, reaching a nine-month high. The government’s increase in import duties on cooking oils has also contributed to the price hike.
Overall, the situation is expected to remain challenging for the next few weeks as harvests have been delayed and quality has been compromised. It is crucial for consumers to brace themselves for higher prices in the coming months.
