No rush for subsidised onions at Vijayawada Rythu Bazaars

Ryuthu Bazaars in Vijayawada are not experiencing a surge in demand for subsidised onions, despite the state government setting a cap of ₹35 per kilogram. The initiative, which began on September 30, aims to alleviate consumer burdens amid a rise in vegetable prices. However, the public is not wholly reliant on Ryuthu Bazaars as anticipated.

This is due to the outside market price of onions being around ₹50, a mere ₹15 less than the subsidized rate. Karunakar, an Estate Officer at Patamata Ryuthu Bazaar, explained that the price discrepancy is insufficient to drive a rush. Over the past three days, an average of one tonne of onions was sold at Krishna Lanka and Patamata Ryuthu Bazaars.

Nonetheless, while onion prices remain relatively stable, the costs of other vegetables like tomatoes and brinjals are increasing, partly due to recent heavy rainfall across the state. Before the rains, brought by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, these vegetables were priced below ₹30, but now they have risen to ₹44 per kilogram.

Market stabilization may take approximately two weeks, according to Karunakar. However, given predictions of another weather system in the Bay of Bengal by October 15, prices are likely to surge once more.