Lifting of onion export ban yet to show effect on prices
No immediate change in prices of onion was noticed today, a day after the government lifted ban on export of the bulb even as markets opened in Nashik after nearly two-weeks of farmers strike.
Onion was sold at Rs 7-16 a kg today in the wholesale in Azadpur market (Asia's biggest fruits & vegetables market) as was the case in the last fortnight, Rajendra Sharma, General Secretary of Onion Merchants Association told PTI.
There was no change in the rates of the kitchen staple in the retail markets in the national capital too where it continued to be available at Rs 25 per kg today, sellers said.
Also no variation in the rates was witnessed in Nashik in Maharashtra, the largest onion producer and its main trading centre in the country.
Onion was sold at Rs 12.16 a kg in Lasalgaon today against Rs 12.12/kg on September 8, a day before the government had imposed ban on shipment of onion.
Similarly, prices in Pimpalgaon was recorded at Rs 12.51 per kg today compared to Rs 12.01/kg on September 8.
Onion markets opened today in Lasalgaon, Pimpalgaon and Manmad (all in Nashik district), nearly two weeks after closure due to farmers strike even though the arrival of the produce was low.
"Farmers come to the mandis from remote areas which takes travel time of a day or two. The supply will regularise in another 1-2 days," R P Gupta, Director NHRDF (set up by Nafed) said.
Lasalgaon received only 600 tonne of onion today against 1004 tonne on September 8 while the arrival in Pimpalgaon stood at a low of 330 tonne as compared to 1403 tonne on September 8, sources in NHRDF (National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation) said.
Meanwhile, the government today sought to defend the short-lived ban imposed on onion exports saying it was not a "panic" decision, but a "precautionary" step to protect consumers.
"Not a panic (decision), you should understand that there was a panic decision last December... But this time, we took the decision much in advance in September," Food Minister K V Thomas told reporters.
The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had yesterday decided to lift ban on onion exports in the backdrop of protests by farmers of Maharashtra.
The government had stopped shipment of onion from the country on September 9 when onion prices had touched Rs 25 a kg from Rs 15/kg in a short span of time.
Asked if permitting onion exports could trigger upward movement in onion prices again, Thomas said, "We will regularly review the situation."
