With onion prices rising up to Rs 40 per kg in Delhi, the government has ordered to import 10,000 tonnes of the kitchen staple form countries including Pakistan, China and Egypt.
However, “There is no need to panic as far as onion prices are concerned, sufficient stocks are available in the country,” a senior official said.
Onion prices at Lasalgaon Mandi in Nashik, which sets price trend of bulb across the country, have increase by 66 per cent to Rs 25 per kg from Rs 15 per kg, since the start of the month.
“At present about 28 lakh tonnes of rabi onion is stored in the country, which is equal to the country’s two months demand and at the same time harvesting of early kahrif crop has also started in Andhra Pradesh,” National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation Director R.P. Gupta said.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the Centre, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) has already floated a tender to import 10,000 tonnes of onion in coming months.
“NAFED invites tender for import of around 10,000 MT onions from Pakistan, China, Egypt or any other origin meeting Indian import regulations. The exact supply order will be regulated in units of 500 MTs depending upon the requirement,” the cooperative said in the tender.
