Odisha onion: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Nov 13: Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Wednesday attributed the surge in onion prices in Odisha to the high cost of onions in Nashik, Maharashtra, where the rate has reached Rs 45 per kilogram.
Since onions are not produced in Odisha, the state relies heavily on imports from Nashik and Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. Minister Patra explained that extensive damage to the kharif crop in these regions due to rains in September has worsened the supply situation, contributing to rising prices. While high-quality onions from Nashik are now priced at Rs 70 per kilogram, onions from Kurnool, which are newer but of medium quality, are selling for Rs 40-55 per kilogram.
Additionally, the price of garlic has surged to Rs 400 per kilogram in the retail market, further straining consumers. The price hike comes during the Panchuka period of the Holy Kartika month, when consumption typically decreases, resulting in lower sales. To ease the burden on consumers, the government has asked NAFED to sell onions at Rs 30 per kilogram in Odisha.
