Afghan Onions Arrive In Pune’s Market Yard, Prices Of Local Remain Stable
Pune, 27th November 2024: The Market Yard in Pune has received a fresh batch of onions imported from Afghanistan via Amritsar. These onions, known for their large size and vibrant red color, are currently selling for ₹40 per kilogram in the wholesale market. Primarily purchased by businesses such as hotels and professional buyers, these onions have yet to make their way into the domestic retail market.
Despite the Afghan imports, local onion prices have remained stable due to a significant decrease in arrivals. Reports indicate that onion supply has dropped by about 30% compared to usual, contributing to steady prices for the local produce.
The ongoing onion shortage in the country prompted these imports to stabilize prices. A shipment of 18 tonnes of Afghan onions, delivered to the Market Yard by Ram Narwade’s Narwade & Co., has been purchased primarily by traders from Pune city and the Chakan area.
On Tuesday, 90 trucks entered the market, with 80 of them carrying newly harvested onions from Nagar and Beed districts. However, the retreating monsoon has damaged much of the new crop, resulting in lower-than-usual arrivals. In the wholesale market, new onions are priced between ₹35 and ₹50 per kilogram, depending on quality.
The availability of old onions in storage has also dwindled, further affecting the overall supply. On the same day, 10 truckloads of onions from Nashik arrived in Pune, fetching higher prices of ₹50 to ₹60 per kilogram in the wholesale market.
