Prices in Belagavi’s wholesale market on decline amid rising supply from Maharashtra, Karnataka
A wholesaler Sambhajirao Patil auctioning onions at the APMC wholesale market, Belagavi. Louis Rodrigues
THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
Onion prices are set to drop in Goa as a rising supply from onion harvesting areas in Maharashtra and Karnataka have lowered onion prices at the wholesale market in Belagavi.
The wholesale rates of good quality onions have presently come down to Rs 15-18 a kilo.
According to wholesalers at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) Market here, loads of heavy trucks carrying onion is arriving in the market every week resulting in the ample supply. This has also enhanced supplies to Goa, due to which the rates of onion are in control.
According to traders, this is the right time to purchase onions in wholesale rates as the rates are stable and the quality of onion is excellent.
“Since over a month, rates of onion are stable as supplies from Nasik, Lasalgaon and from North Karnataka region have increased. Moreover, good quality of onions are arriving in the APMC wholesale onion and potato market here, due to which onion can be now purchased for the ‘purument’ ahead of the rainy season.
“Every week, around 200 truckloads of onions are arriving at the APMC wholesale market due to which the rates have come down. Due to rising temperatures, the farmers too are trying to clear their stocks as high temperatures leads to the rotting of onion. This trend is expected to continue for another month,” a wholesaler Sambhajirao Hongekar of Jyoti traders said.
Asked about the wholesale rates, he said the rates are varying between Rs 5 and Rs 17 a kilo, depending upon the size.
“For example, the smallest size which is identified as ‘goli’ is available between Rs 5 and Rs 8 per kilo whereas the largest and the best quality is available from Rs 15 to Rs 18 a kilo. This is perhaps one of the lowest rates onion are available this year,” Hongekar added.
Sandeep Mungari, another wholesaler said that many families are reaching the wholesale market to purchase onion for the rainy season.
“This is the right time for purchasing onion and we have huge supplies from across the hinterland. Hence, people can visit the APMC wholesale market directly for monsoon and perhaps for the year,” Mungari suggested.
Apart from suppliers, a large number of retailers are seen visiting the Belagavi APMC wholesale onion market as tonnes of this kitchen staple is seen reaching this market everyday.
