Erratic supply causes Onion prices to surge to ₹55/kg in Chandigarh

Local tomato production in Punjab has been severely affected by bad weather since July. As a result, apni mandis in Chandigarh have had to source tomatoes from Himachal Pradesh and Bangalore. However, the added costs of transportation and logistics have pushed the price of tomatoes up to ₹50 per kg at these mandis.

Onions, too, have seen a dramatic price increase. They are now being sold at ₹55 per kg in apni mandis and ₹65 per kg in retail shops, up from ₹40 per kg just two weeks ago. The surge in onion prices is primarily due to a shortage of supply from Maharashtra, which is the country's largest onion producer. The shortage has been exacerbated by the ongoing monsoons. Earlier, the government had imposed an export ban on onions, but the ban has now been lifted, further driving up prices. Since onions are not grown locally, the reliance on Maharashtra’s supply has made prices volatile.

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Komal Sharma, a mandi supervisor, explained that the erratic supply due to monsoons has led to these price hikes. “Due to monsoons, the supply of vegetables from other states is unpredictable, which has resulted in higher prices,” she said.

Despite the sharp increase in prices for tomatoes and onions, some locally grown vegetables are still relatively affordable. Potatoes are being sold at ₹35 per kg, and bottle gourd is priced at ₹50 per kg in apni mandis. The variability in vegetable prices highlights the impact of weather and logistical challenges on the cost of produce.