No business as usual at 5 big onion markets in Nashik

Five major onion markets in Nashik remained closed, while not more than 1,000 tonnes of onions was traded in other markets in the district on Wednesday, even as sources stated that there was adequate stock. The maximum price quoted for onion was '3,903 per quintal in Umrane APMC, while the lowest quote was '1,000 per quintal in Sinnar APMC. The prices are likely to remain stable in Nashik and will decline later as fresh crop has begun flowing in the APMCs in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, National Horticulture Development Foundation (NHRDF) sources said. “The country still has a tentative 6-7 lakh metric tonnes (MT) stored Rabi crop, which includes around three lakh MT stock from Maharashtra. Around two lakh tonnes is still available in the Nashik district,” NHRDF deputy director (statistics) Hariprakash Sharma said. Lasalgaon, along with its sub markets of Niphad and Vinchur, was closed indefinitely from Wednesday due to the imbroglio between the APMC, traders, mapari (measuring personnel) and hamals (coolies). Kalwan APMC remained closed due to the weekly baazar in the town, while Deola APMC remained closed due to Gokulashtami. Prices refused to pick up and apparently, farmers did not bring out their stored Unhal variety of onions due to plummeting prices. Arrivals were low in most markets. The maximum onion stock of 2,200 quintals arrived in Umrane sub market of Malegaon. The prices in Umrane were at a maximum of '3,903, lowest at '1,851 and at an average of '1,851 per quintal. In Pimpalgaon Baswant APMC, the maximum price quoted was '3,800, minimum was '2,500 and the average price was '3,570 per quintal. In Saikheda sub market of Pimpalgaon Baswant APMC, the arrival was 700 quintals. The maximum price was '3,660, minimum was '3,311 and the average of '3,500 per quintal on Wednesday. In Sinnar APMC 200 quintals arrived, and the maximum price was '3,840, lowest was '1,000 and the average was '3,400 per quintal. “Around 70 to 80 per cent arrivals in Karnataka and AP is the fresh Kharif onion crop and the remaining is the stored Rabi crop. As onions from these southern states is being sent to Orissa and West Bengal, it has eased the pressure on prices of Nashik onions. Fresh Kharif crop will begin arriving in Nashik markets by September end and beginning of October,” Mr Sharma said.