Average wholesale onion prices up 20-40% in Nashik district APMCs in 12 days

Nashik: The average wholesale onion prices in Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) across Nashik district have increased by 20% to 40% over the past 12 days, due to higher demand as compared to supply.

At Lasalgaon APMC, the country’s largest wholesale onion market, the average price increased by around 20% — from Rs 1,250 per quintal on May 23 to Rs 1,500 per quintal on June 4. The minimum and maximum prices recorded on Thursday stood at Rs 700 and Rs 1,926 per quintal, respectively, with arrivals pegged at about 14,300 quintals.

Similarly, at Pimpalgaon APMC, another key onion market, average prices surged by nearly 40% during the same period — from Rs 1,150 per quintal on May 23 to Rs 1,650 per quintal on Thursday. The minimum and maximum rates were Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,400 per quintal, respectively, while arrivals touched around 30,900 quintals.

Despite the recent rise, average wholesale prices remain below the cost of production, estimated at around Rs 1,800 per quintal, leaving farmers under continued financial stress.

APMC officials attributed the price rise to a demand-supply mismatch. They said the arrival of better-quality onions in the markets has also contributed to improved price realisation.

Traders pointed to a surge in export demand, particularly from Sri Lanka and Gulf countries, over the past few days. This increased demand has pushed up prices by Rs 250 to Rs 500 per quintal across markets.

Bharat Dighole, president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers’ Association, said prices are still not remunerative. “Onion prices remain below the cost of production, which is around Rs 1,800 per quintal. Farmers continue to incur heavy losses when selling at such low rates,” he said.

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