PNS/DEHRADUN
The escalating price of onions has impacted the finances of the residents in Dehradun. The onion prices have continued to rise during the past two months due to various factors. Many locals have expressed concern on this aspect. They said that they had reduced the amount of onion they usually purchase on normal days. The secretary of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), Ajay Dabral has attributed the onion price hike to an imbalance in demand and supply caused by crop damage in Nashik due to an extended rainy season in that region. Consequently, onion prices in the retail market in Dehradun have surged to between Rs 80 and Rs 100 per kilogramme.
Considering this, a local resident Ricky Bahuguna highlighted that the almost half of this year has been challenging due to the soaring onion prices. Onions are a crucial ingredient in every meal and the increase in prices has had a financial impact on residents like him this year. He highlighted the ongoing rise in onion prices as a reason for reducing the quantity purchased.
Similarly, a catering professional Kamlesh Rawat said that the escalating prices of onions have impacted profits during the wedding season. To counter this, they have reduced the amount of onions used in wedding meals to protect their finances.
Many vegetable vendors in Dehradun have also voiced concerns about the high prices of onions, stating that customers blame them for the increase in prices.
Dabral told this correspondent that the extended rainy season in Nashik this year, which lasted till September as opposed to past years, has resulted in crop damage for onions in the region. Consequently, many states, including Uttarakhand, have been relying on onions from Alwar. The sole dependence on Alwar for onions has also impacted the onion supply currently, leading to an imbalance in supply and demand and an increase in prices. However, with new onion growth in Nasik, it is anticipated that prices will decrease after November 20, Dabral said.
Notably, onion prices in the wholesale market are currently at Rs 60 per kg, while in the retail market, prices range from Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg.
