Bhubaneswar: Onion prices have climbed sharply across several parts of Odisha, with the staple kitchen vegetable now selling for around Rs 70 per kg in a number of markets. The price surge has been reported in places including Balasore, Berhampur, Bolangir and Cuttack, as traders point to a significant decline in the supply of onions reaching local markets.
The sudden increase has put additional pressure on household budgets, while retailers and vegetable vendors are also struggling to cope with rapidly changing wholesale prices.
Onion Supply Falls At Cuttack’s Chhatra Bazar
The impact of the supply shortage is particularly visible at Chhatra Bazar in Cuttack, one of the state’s major wholesale vegetable markets.
Traders said the market would normally receive around five to six trucks of onions every day. However, the inflow has now fallen sharply, with only one or two trucks occasionally reaching the market.
The reduced availability has pushed wholesale prices upward, with the additional cost eventually being passed on to consumers.
Retailers said they are also finding it difficult to predict prices while purchasing their stocks. With wholesale rates changing frequently, vendors face uncertainty over how much they should purchase and at what price.
Why Are Onion Prices Rising In Odisha?
One of the major reasons behind the price increase is Odisha’s dependence on supplies from other states.
Onion cultivation in Odisha remains limited, with production concentrated mainly in some districts of western Odisha and Angul. Most other parts of the state depend heavily on supplies brought in from outside.
Traders said onions supplied to Odisha primarily come from major producing and trading centres such as Nashik in Maharashtra, besides supplies from Delhi and Andhra Pradesh.
When the inflow from these sources decreases, the limited availability in Odisha can quickly translate into higher wholesale and retail prices.
Maharashtra Weather Raises Supply Concerns
Traders have also linked the latest price rise to supply-related difficulties in Maharashtra, one of India’s major onion-producing states.
According to traders, adverse weather conditions and rainfall have affected onion cultivation and availability in parts of the state. Any disruption in supplies from Maharashtra can have a direct impact on markets in states such as Odisha that rely substantially on outside supplies.
The reduced inflow has therefore contributed to the upward pressure on onion prices in Odisha’s wholesale and retail markets.
Consumers Forced To Cut Vegetable Purchases
The price rise has become an additional burden for households already dealing with fluctuations in the prices of several vegetables.
Consumers said they are being forced to reduce their purchases or adjust their household budgets as vegetable prices remain high.
One consumer said that the rising cost of vegetables has made it increasingly difficult to manage household expenses, adding that onions have now become another significant burden. The consumer expressed hope that prices would decline soon and provide relief to families.
Retailers Also Feeling The Pressure
While consumers are bearing the higher retail prices, vegetable vendors say they are not necessarily benefiting from the situation.
Retailers have to purchase onions at elevated wholesale rates and then sell them in a market where customers are increasingly reluctant to buy larger quantities.
Vendors said customers frequently complain about the price hikes, but retailers themselves face uncertainty because of the volatile wholesale market.
The situation has created difficulties throughout the supply chain, from wholesalers and retailers to consumers.
Prices Expected To Ease After Mid-September
Despite the current price pressure, experts expect onion prices to potentially decline after the middle of September, provided supplies improve and market arrivals increase.
An improvement in arrivals from major producing states could ease the shortage and bring some stability to wholesale prices in Odisha.
However, the actual movement of prices will depend on factors including weather conditions, crop availability, transportation and the volume of onions reaching Odisha’s markets.
Consumers Seek Government Intervention
With onion prices touching around Rs 70 per kg in several markets, consumers have urged the government to take steps to improve availability and prevent further escalation.
Ensuring adequate market supplies and monitoring prices could provide relief to households, particularly if the shortage continues.
For now, consumers and retailers remain hopeful that improved supplies in the coming weeks will bring down onion prices and ease the pressure on household budgets.
