Lasalgaon, Niphad onion markets reopen, arrivals slow
Patil further said that after three or four days, the rates would stablise as more farmers would bring their produce.
Nashik: Lasalgaon and Niphad Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) onion markets opened on Tuesday with medium rates as the arrivals were slow. A total 22,000 quintal of onion was traded in Lasalgaon while 5,000 quintal arrived in Niphad.
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) director and former Lasalgaon APMC chairman Nanasaheb Patil said that the average price should be considered and rates had not increased.
“As the announcement was made on Monday, few farmers arrived to sell their produce. (They were) mostly those who needed money urgently,” he said.
Mr Patil further said that after three or four days, the rates would stablise as more farmers would bring their produce.
In Lasalgaon APMC the minimum rate was Rs 250 per quintal. The maximum rate was Rs 600 per quintal and the average rate was Rs 470 per quintal on Tuesday. In Niphad, the minimum rate was Rs 251 per quintal, maximum was Rs 552 and the average rate was Rs 400 per quintal.
Onion auctions at Lasalgaon APMC and Niphad sub-APMC were stopped for 11 days due to a dispute over late encashment of cheques.
On Monday, the traders had assured APMC office bearers and farmers that they would get immediate payments.
Niphad tehsil, which includes Lasalgaon town, houses the largest onion market in the country.