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At the Bagalkot Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), premium-quality onions fetched up to Rs 5,500 per quintal. In the retail market, onions are now selling at around Rs 60 per kg, nearly three times the Rs 18-20 per kg recorded just two to three weeks ago. Bagalkot : A steep rise in onion prices has left consumers in Bagalkot reeling, adding to the burden of rising household expenses ahead of the festive season. Along with vegetables and other groceries, onion prices have surged sharply over the past few weeks.
The market received 851 quintals on Sept 5, while arrivals fell to 572 quintals on Sept 8. Premium-grade onions are currently selling for around Rs 5,000 per quintal, while medium-sized onions are fetching Rs 4,500-4,600 per quintal. BOX | In Dharwad At the Dharwad APMC, onions were sold at up to Rs 6,000 per quintal, while retail prices ranged between Rs 65 and Rs 70 per kg, depending on the locality.
Many growers suffered crop losses due to the prolonged dry spell and are unable to cash in on the higher market rates. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news. Traders attribute the spike to a sharp decline in arrivals caused by inadequate rainfall. The prolonged dry spell has affected onion production, reducing supplies not only in Bagalkot but also in Nashik, the country’s largest onion trading hub. If arrivals do not improve, prices are unlikely to soften soon. Onion arrivals at the Bagalkot APMC have dropped considerably. Auctions are held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Ironically, despite the price surge, farmers say they have benefited little. During chief minister DK Shivakumar ’s recent drought assessment visit to Bagalkot district, onion farmers highlighted their losses and sought compensation from the govt. The rise in onion prices comes as families prepare for Ganesh Chaturthi after the end of Shravana. Prices of sugar, flowers, fruits, vegetables and other essentials have also increased, making festival shopping significantly costlier. Download the TOI App.