Bhubaneswar: Onion prices have soared high across many states, including Odisha, in November. The consumers here are left high and dry. The price of onions has risen to Rs 62 per kg at the wholesale markets in Odisha in November. However, the second week of Novemeber is showing off some signs of relief. The arrival rates in mandis have increased.
Moreover, a glance at the available data for the year 2023 shows the onion prices tend to show erratic behaviour in October and Novermber, extending up, even, to December.
However, a big revealing fact came to fore is the onion price rise is not pan-India, It seems limited to some states. Moreover, the onion price rise seems not making the buyers teary-eyed this year alone. The prices are equally firm last year (2023), too. A reality-check of data available with the Union government brings to fore some startling trends.
THE ONION SHOW
A look at the data reveals the following.
- The price rise in Onion is not pan India
- In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, the onion wholesale prices per quintal in November has been 21.74% less in Nov 2024 vis-a-vis Nov 2023
- In AP, the wholesale prices of onion dropped to Rs 2692/q in November from Rs 4474/q in Oct 2024
- However, the wholesale price of Onion in November 2023 was Rs3440/q in AP.
- The same is observed in Bihar, where prices were down by 3%. Wholesale price now stands at Rs 5176/q.
- Prices down in Karnataka, Telangana, too.
NORTH INDIA FELING ONION PINCH?
A look at the table below shows North Indian states, except Bihar, are feeling the onion price rise pinch the highest. The latest November data has revealed the following trend.
- Wholesale prices of Onion in 2nd week of November are declining.
- Union Govt data shows wholesale prices of onion in Odisha during Nov 9-15 was quoted at Rs 4,917 vis-a-vis 5084 in Oct 2024 and Rs 5079 in November 2023
- Among the largest states, Tamil Nadu is having the highest wholesale prices of Onions (7015/q up from 6097 in October 9-15.)
- Wholesale prices in 2nd week of Novemeber declined in as many as nine states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha (mere 3% down from Nove 2023 2nd week), Telangana and Uttarkhand.
- For rest of the states view the table above.
