Vijayawada: Onion prices in Vijayawada have skyrocketed to ₹75 per kg, causing distress among consumers. Over the past two months, the cost of this essential kitchen staple has steadily gone up, forcing many households to reduce their use of onions or exclude them altogether.
Onions, a crucial ingredient in south Indian cuisine, are indispensable for many Telugu households. However, heavy rains this year have severely impacted onion crops, particularly in Maharashtra and the Kurnool region of Andhra Pradesh, leading to a significant price hike.
The situation has also affected market dynamics in Vijayawada as the number of onion stalls in the city’s main markets has dropped, with many traders opting not to stock onions due to reduced demand and high procurement costs. “Quality onions are currently sourced from Maharashtra’s Solapur region, but bringing them here at such high prices isn’t feasible. Instead, we’ve shifted to selling ginger, garlic, and other vegetables,” said K Joji Babu, a trader from Patamata.
To address the crisis, agriculture marketing officers are selling subsidized onions grown in Kurnool at ₹49 per kg through special counters in farmers’ markets. These counters are seeing long queues of buyers eager to purchase onions at reduced prices.
Despite these measures, the available onions are of lower quality, adding to consumers’ woes. As the state grapples with the onion crisis, both traders and households are hoping for a relief in the coming weeks. Agriculture department said that the price will come down by December second week as thousands of onion farmers are waiting to harvest their crop shortly.
Onions, a crucial ingredient in south Indian cuisine, are indispensable for many Telugu households. However, heavy rains this year have severely impacted onion crops, particularly in Maharashtra and the Kurnool region of Andhra Pradesh, leading to a significant price hike.
The situation has also affected market dynamics in Vijayawada as the number of onion stalls in the city’s main markets has dropped, with many traders opting not to stock onions due to reduced demand and high procurement costs. “Quality onions are currently sourced from Maharashtra’s Solapur region, but bringing them here at such high prices isn’t feasible. Instead, we’ve shifted to selling ginger, garlic, and other vegetables,” said K Joji Babu, a trader from Patamata.
To address the crisis, agriculture marketing officers are selling subsidized onions grown in Kurnool at ₹49 per kg through special counters in farmers’ markets. These counters are seeing long queues of buyers eager to purchase onions at reduced prices.
Despite these measures, the available onions are of lower quality, adding to consumers’ woes. As the state grapples with the onion crisis, both traders and households are hoping for a relief in the coming weeks. Agriculture department said that the price will come down by December second week as thousands of onion farmers are waiting to harvest their crop shortly.
