Nashik Onion Prices Spike as Rain Delays Kharif Harvest
04 November 2025, Nashik: Onion prices in Nashik, India’s leading onion-producing district, have climbed sharply over the past week due to a delay in harvesting the new kharif crop. The disruption, caused by intermittent rains since October 19, has created a noticeable shortfall in supply at the Lasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), Asia’s largest onion market.
Fresh data from the Lasalgaon APMC shows that the average wholesale price surged by 26% in just four days—from ₹1,350 (US$16.20) per quintal on Tuesday to ₹1,710 (US$20.50) per quintal on Friday. An APMC official confirmed that arrivals have dropped drastically, from over 15,000 quintals to nearly half that volume, widening the gap between demand and supply.
On Friday, the market saw prices fluctuate between ₹700 (US$8.40) and ₹2,600 (US$31.20) per quintal, buyers trading for both immediate consumption and future storage. Yet, despite the price rise, growers are still struggling to break even—the cost of production is around ₹1,800 (US$21.60) per quintal.
The delayed arrival of the new crop has roots in heavy rains during September, which wiped out about 80% of the standing kharif onion crop across Nashik. The remaining 20%—planted after mid-August—is expected to reach the markets only by the last week of November.
Until then, the market continues to rely on summer onions harvested earlier this year. Thanks to their long shelf life of up to seven months, farmers have been storing these onions and releasing them based on their need for cash flow and market signals.
The delay not only impacts farmers but also raises concerns about retail prices, consumer affordability, and potential shortages in the coming weeks. With onion prices traditionally playing a sensitive role in India’s agri-economy, all eyes are now on the November arrivals—and the weather.
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