Nashik: Onion Prices Fall At Lasalgaon After Centre Releases Buffer Stock

Nashik has seen a significant drop in onion prices at the Lasalgaon market following the central government's decision to release buffer stock onions to aid urban consumers. The government, concerned about rising prices, decided to send 840 tonnes of onions from its buffer stock to Delhi. The average onion rate at Lasalgaon decreased by approximately ₹450 per quintal, falling to ₹4,251 per quintal on August 24.

While the government's intervention aims to protect urban consumers from price hikes, farmers are worried about its impact on their earnings. They argue that the government should balance the needs of both consumers and producers while managing market supply. Traders and farmers are apprehensive that further price pressure may hit major onion markets, including Lasalgaon, as buffer stock onions are released in other major cities.

Concerns have also been raised about the quality and grading of onions stored in government warehouses, with some onions allegedly having expired, leading to spoilage and a foul odor. Additionally, a labour shortage has reportedly delayed the dispatch of onions, with only around 453 metric tonnes being sent to Delhi instead of the planned 840 metric tonnes.