The prices of shallots (small onion) shot up in the wholesale onion market in Dindigul — one of the biggest in the State — on Friday due to poor arrivals and slump in production.
Continuous rain in major shallot producing centres in Karantaka has damaged the standing crop, leading to a fall in production.
The wholesale price of shallot shot up to ₹50 a kg from ₹20 a kg in the last 48 hours. In retail markets, the price of shallot hovers around ₹60 to ₹65 a kg, depending on quality and size. The arrivals slumped to less than half of normal quantity, said traders.
Arrivals from Theni, Pollachi, Coimbatore, and Mysuru in Karnataka are almost nil due to downpour during the last week. At present, onion farmers at Sengurichi, Gujiliamparai, Vedasandur and Iyyalur in Dindigul district and Thuraiyur in Tiruchi district alone are supplying to the wholesale market.
Normally, the market gets regular supplies from Andipatti and Cumbum in Theni district, Udumalpet in Tirupur district, Tiruchi and Mysuru in Karnataka. Now, the entire market is dependent on arrivals from nearby villages.
Several areas of Mysuru, Kollegal and adjoining places in Karnataka, which are popular for shallot cultivation, have been receiving heavy rain this month.
At present, Dindigul market receives less than 2,000 bags, each weighing 80 kg, a day against 5,000 bags last week. Arrivals are around 5,000 to 8,000 bags a day and three to four truckloads during peak season.
Several godowns in the wholesale market are empty. Exporters too have stayed away due to high procurement price.
