Onion rates remain elevated in national capital; retail price soars to as high as Rs 110/kg

Onion prices continued to remain at elevated levels in the national capital on Monday.

The wholesale price of onions stood at as high as Rs 60 per kilogram in the national capital on Monday. | File image | Image credit: Reuters

Onion prices remained elevated in the national capital and neighbouring regions on Monday, with the wholesale and retail rates being at as high as Rs 32-60 per kilogram and Rs 100-110 per kilogram, respectively. The government’s subsidised stock inventory of the kitchen staple, of 450 kilograms, was sold within 20 minutes of the arrival of vans.

The development comes days after the Centre set a floor price of $800 per metric tonne for the export of onions, applicable till December 31, in a bid to ensure adequate domestic supply and fair retail prices for the consumer. The government also announced the procurement of 2,00,000 tonnes of onions for its buffer, over and above the 5,00,000 tonnes already procured.

In August, the Centre announced an export duty to the tune of 40 per cent on onions till December 31 to enhance the domestic availability of the vegetable and, in turn, check prices.