Govt’s onion buffer stock quality ‘good’, storage with CWC aids shelf life: Consumer affairs secretary

The quality of the Central Government's onion buffer stock is good, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, who spoke on Friday (August 28, 2026). For the first time this year, the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) has been involved in the storage of the stock to ensure its shelf life, Khare added. She dismissed reports claiming that 30% of the 1.21 lakh tonne onion buffer had spoiled, stating that the quality is excellent.

Unlike previous years, the onions are now stored with the CWC, with a third party regularly checking the quality of the stock.

Onions, which are made up of 90% water, retain their quality for three months after harvest, Khare explained. Any spoilage depends on storage conditions and ventilation. This year, the bulk of the buffer stock was procured in June-July, contributing to its good quality. The government has procured onions through agencies like Nafed and NCCF, and they are transported via the Kanda Express, a specialized rail rake, to major cities like Delhi, Chennai, Madurai, Ernakulam, and Guwahati. On August 28, a consignment of 453 tonnes reached Delhi.

Khare noted that mandi prices in Nashik, the onion producing centre, have started to decrease, falling to ₹44/kg on August 24, which is higher than the ₹25/kg retail price in Delhi. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are becoming significant suppliers of onion to Delhi and other northern states. She assured that there are no issues with the stock, which she declared to be in good condition.

Additionally, Khare mentioned that the kharif onion crop outlook is promising, with the El Nino scare now over. She further alleviated concerns over the rabi onion crop, stating that improved irrigation and healthy water levels in key reservoirs should not be a problem. Despite a 88% increase in retail onion prices to ₹62 per kg on Thursday (August 27), Khare stated that onion availability remains sufficient to meet domestic demand in the coming months, thanks to an estimated 2025-26 production of 307.37 lakh tonnes, which is similar to last year's production of 307.67 lakh tonnes.