KURNOOL: Onion prices are rising in Kurnool and surrounding areas, primarily due to last year's dry spell that severely affected crop yields.
Currently, onion stocks from Maharashtra are priced between Rs 45 and Rs 50 per kilo and these are likely to rise further. The limited local stocks available are also sold at high prices, ranging Rs 35-40 per kilo, a significant increase from the normal Rs 15-20 per kilo.
The crisis began during the southwest monsoon season when the onion crop suffered damage, leading to an abnormal price increase. This was compounded by the lack of rainfall activity last year.
Unlike previous years, when traders could mitigate shortages by importing onions from north India, the prices started climbing in June, well before the severe rains hit the northern regions.
Kurnool, a major onion market in AP, is experiencing a drastic reduction in supply. The local agriculture market yard, which usually receives 60-70 trucks of onions daily, is now seeing the arrival of only 10-20 trucks from farms.
Tadepalligudem, another significant market, is facing a similar shortage, trader Mallikarjuna said.
To meet the demand, traders are sourcing stocks from Maharashtra. However, a strengthening monsoon could disrupt transportation and storage, potentially driving prices even higher.
he agriculture department has been encouraging onion cultivation. It has identified farmers willing to plant onions across approximately 40,000 acres this Kharif season. While past crop damage, and lack of rainfall led to the current price crisis, the 67 per cent excess rainfall activity during this monsoon offers hope to farmers for better harvests.
The green chilli prices have also surged, reaching ` 80-90 per kilo in Kurnool's retail markets. This scarcity is attributed to limited rainfall, limiting cultivation to areas with bore wells and small water sources.
