Old Onion Prices Surge to Rs 80 per kg in Pune as New Arrivals of Lower Quality Enter Market

Market Yard, 12th November 2024: Like in other parts of the country, the arrival of old onions in the wholesale market in Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard of Pune is decreasing. On the other hand, new onions of lower quality are being brought for sale. As a result, the price of old onions has surged. The price of old onions in the retail market has reached Rs. 80 per kg. Traders and sellers predict that these prices will remain steady for about a month.

In the wholesale market at the market yard, old onions are fetching Rs. 55 to 65 per kg, while new onions are priced at Rs. 30 to 45 per kg. Around 10 to 15 trucks of old onions and 30 to 35 trucks of new onions are entering the market. The new onions are being imported from Shrigonda and Karjat-Jamkhed in Ahilyanagar district.

Old onions are arriving from Junnar, Manchar, Khed, Ambegaon and Shirur talukas in Pune district and Parner taluka in Ahilyanagar district. Prices are expected to remain stable until the arrival of good-quality new onions increases. Once the supply of new onions increases, the price of old onions is expected to decrease, according to Ritesh Poman, an onion trader at the Market Yard.

Poman mentioned that while new onions have started arriving in the market recently, their quality has deteriorated. Good-quality new onions are expected to enter the market in the first or second week of December, which will lead to a significant increase in supply. After that, the price of old onions will decrease, and by then, old onions will be mostly depleted.

Currently, the supply of old onions in the farmers’ market is limited, which has contributed to the price hike. The new red onion season will last until March. Poman also noted that the Garwa Onion season will begin after that.

Onions from the Pune division are in high demand in South India, particularly from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Additionally, there is strong demand from Pune city and surrounding areas. The quality of the old onions entering the market is good, contributing to the increase in prices in both the wholesale and retail markets.