Soon, onion prices may drop in Karnataka

Onion prices in the State are expected to drop over the next few days as the local varieties have started to arrive in the market in substantial quantities. A couple of days ago, the average rate at the APMC markets in Hubli was Rs 45 per kg, while retail prices were in the range of Rs 55 and Rs 60 a kg. According to traders at APMC yard in Hubli, the rates are expected to drop further as the arrival of local variety of onions in the market has increased. "The loads of the local variety have increased over the past few days in the Hubli market. It is about three to four trucks every day. While the prices in north India have increased, we are not likely to face any more rise in prices,” said APMC, Hubli, president, Suresh Dasanur. According to Dasanur, the local variety of onions are of better quality as they have less dye compared to the previous loads of onions that had arrived from outside the State. "With no dye in it, the weight of the onions also increase. This helps in bringing down the price and sustaining the supply for longer duration,” he explained. In Bangalore, arrival of onion has increased and prices were placed at Rs 4,500 per quintal. It is said that even the rest of the country is banking on onion supply from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.   DHNS