Bhopal: Onion, which was not only sold at Rs 2 per kg but also dumped in Madhya Pradesh just a fortnight ago, looks bullish again. Now, price has started going up. Wholesale rate is Rs 15.50/kg while retail rate is Rs 20 per kilogram. Even in Nasik (Maharashtra), wholesale rate is Rs 1,700 per quintal.
Just for onion’s throwaway price, farmers were up in arms in the state in June and even seven were killed in the agitation. Amid intense protests the government had to fix rate for procurement. But it was not sufficient and famers continued to commit suicide over slumping onion prices. Tons of onions were dumped as they got rotten in spell of rains.
The government had procured onions at Rs 8 per kg from farmers and was distributing it through fair price shops. However, tomatoes, which were selling for Rs 100 per kg all over the country is now below Rs 50 in retail. Sudden ups and down in price of vegetables is surprising not for customers but also for traders.
Bhopal fruits and vegetable suppliers Kailash Chand Sharma said, “Wholesale price of onion is Rs 15.50 per kg while in retail, it is Rs 20 per kilogramme. So it shows that price of onion is going up and it will be problematic for customers in days to come. However, tomato is selling at nearly Rs 40 per kg in retail and wholesale price is Rs 32/kg.”
Gurukripa Trader’s Somnath said, “In Nasik, wholesale price is Rs 1,700 per quintal. In retail, it is round Rs 20 per kg depending on the quality. My Gurukripa operates business in Maharashtra as well as in Madhya Pradesh and other states. From Mandsaur and Neemuch, trucks are being loaded for supply to other states.”
