Onion Price on Rising Trend
ROURKELA: Households in the Steel City are finding it hard to manage their monthly budget because of skyrocketing price of onion in the local markets. The onion price has almost doubled to Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kg in local retail markets.
Reports said the onion was selling at Rs 40 a kg in the retail market at State Training Institute (STI) area, while it was priced Rs five less at the Traffic Gate market. Over past 10 days, onion price has been steadily rising adding to the woes of the consumers who are already struggling with the rise in prices of other vegetables.
Market Intelligence Officer in the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare (FSCW) Department Kedar Pradhani said they were keeping a constant watch on onion price. The transportation cost of two varieties of onion which are procured from Nashik in Maharashtra are priced at Rs 3,000 and Rs 3,200 per quintal in the local wholesale markets, said Pradhani.
The wholesalers are allowed to keep a maximum profit of Rs two per kg, he said adding that amid price rise at source points, his Department has little to do.
On an average, the City’s daily onion consumption is around 130 quintals and now 160 to 180 quintals are reaching here.
A wholesaler DB Kundu said, “Wholesalers are not ready to procure extra stock at higher prices because in the event of decline in prices, they have to suffer loss. Indications are that onion price may go up to Rs 50 a kg.”
Meanwhile, the prices of most of the commonly available vegetables too have gone up. While only potato costs Rs 10 to Rs 12 per kg, cauliflower is available for Rs 50-60, tomato Rs 50, drum-stick Rs 80 and capsicum Rs 60. Ladyfinger and carrot are selling at Rs 40 per kg, while bitter gourd, pointed gourd and ridge gourd cost between Rs 30 and Rs 40 a kg. Incidentally, the cost of beans has come down to Rs 40 from Rs 300 a kg about a month ago.
A housewife Manavi Sharma of the City said the family has no option but to cut down consumption of costly vegetables.