Onion Prices Cause Concern in Bengal; Supply Shortage Blamed for Price Surge

Runa Khamaru, Kolkata: The recent surge in onion prices has left households in West Bengal facing a significant economic challenge. After the auspicious festival of Lakshmi Puja, the cost of onions in the retail market has skyrocketed, causing distress among consumers. Over the course of just 2-3 days, the price of onions shot up to an alarming 70-80 rupees per kilogram, a sharp increase from the previously stable range of 40-50 rupees per kilogram.

Concerned buyers are left wondering what triggered this abrupt price hike, and to uncover the reasons behind it, our team visited Koley Market, India’s largest vegetable market situated in Sealdah. The secretary of the onion market, Abhijit Saha, provided some insights into the current situation and offered a glimmer of hope for consumers.

Now in Koley Market the wholesale price of onion is 50-55 rupees per kg. But why is the onion price so high in market ? Abhijit Saha replied, “in our state mainly the supply of onion comes from Nashik but before Durga Puja the continuous rainfall in Nashik has spoiled onion production. That’s why the supply of onion in market is comparatively lass. So, the price of onion is increasing but within a few days onions supply will be normal then the retail price of onion will also become normal.”