Onion Price in Bangalore: Onion prices double in a week, go the tomato way in Bengaluru | Bengaluru News

HUBBALLI/BENGALURU: The prices of onions have doubled in the past week across the state – like the recent spike in tomato prices – with both wholesale and retail prices in Bengaluru also seeing a sharp increase. Some traders said the prices are expected to further increase, report J Abbas Mulla & Yashaswini Sri.
This increase is attributed to the severe drought-like conditions in the North Karnataka region, resulting in reduced onion production and general poor harvest across onion growing regions.In Bengaluru, wholesale prices stood at Rs 70 per kg on Sunday compared to Rs 50 last week. The same was Rs 70 and Rs 39 at retail stores, while prices atHopcoms were Rs 77 (Sunday) & Rs 58 (last week).
When the essential vegetable reached the local pushcart vendor, it was priced at Rs 80, while it was still being sold online for Rs 69 as of Sunday.

Officials from Hopcoms told TOI that since the demand for onions is high, the prices are expected to remain high for a few more days.
Ventri, owner of Venkateshwara fresh vegetables and wholesale market in Malleswaram, said: “It’s the same situation with onions like we had for tomatoes…”
Later this week, prices may cross Rs 100,” he added.
Manjunath, owner of Shivaji Traders in Yeshwanthpur, said the prices are unlikely to fall for another two months. “…There was already a shortage of onions, now the rain has ruined whatever was there,” he pointed out.
Onion prices have increased significantly over the past two weeks due to declining stock of rabi (winter) crop and the delay in arrival of fresh kharif (summer) produce. There are reports of lower kharif harvest as well.
In Hubballi, amidst shortage of supply from local farmers, the market has been sourcing onions from Maharashtra and neighbouring Vijayapura district. At Hubballi APMC, onion prices jumped from Rs 2,500-3,000 per quintal to a range of Rs 6,000-6,600. Similarly, in the retail market, the price of onions surged from Rs 30-35 per kg to a steep Rs 75-80 per kg in just a week.
Saleem Byahatti, president, Onion and Potatoes Merchants’ Association, said in four days onion prices went up to Rs 60 from Rs 40. “The government on Saturday imposed a minimum export price per tonne on onions till December 31. We have to see how it will impact the market,” he added.
Watch Amid onion price rise, congress chief Kharge targets Modi government as reports suggest further price hike