Onion Prices Ease Ahead Of Festive Season As Kharif Arrivals Rise, Maharashtra Mandi Rates Fall 13%

New Delhi, Oct 7: The onion market has experienced a significant improvement in supply ahead of the festive season, leading to a notable decline in prices, according to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. With robust market arrivals and the start of fresh Kharif supplies, the weighted average mandi price in Maharashtra has dropped by nearly 13%, from around Rs 4,030 per quintal to approximately Rs 3,475 per quintal.

This price moderation is also evident in retail markets, with 126 cities reporting a decline of Rs 1–21 per kg in onion prices over the past two weeks.

The arrival of fresh Kharif onions from major producing states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan, coupled with availability from stored stocks, has contributed to the improved supply conditions. These fresh arrivals are expected to increase further in the coming weeks, ensuring better availability in consumer markets during the upcoming festive season.

The production outlook for the Kharif crop remains encouraging, with an estimated acreage increase of 5% compared to last year's strong level. Favorable crop conditions and a positive rainfall outlook by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the harvesting period add further support to the crop, reducing the risk of moisture-related damage.

The government is taking proactive steps to ensure adequate supply during the festive season. So far, the government has released over 2.0 lakh quintals through buffer stock release, involving 8 Kanda Express and 467 trucks across 123 cities. Additional rail movements are planned to enhance supply distribution efficiency and speed. The government continues to monitor market arrivals, stocks, and price movements and is taking measures to facilitate orderly distribution and maintain adequate availability as required.