PUNE: With the lifting of the ban on onion export, the wholesale rate of onion in Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) in the State has increased. The wholesale rate at Lasalgaon APMC and Pune APMC has increased by Rs 300 to 400 per quintal.

“The average rate of onion, which was Rs 1,850 per quintal till yesterday, has increased to Rs 2,150 per quintal while the highest price is around Rs 23-24 per kg on Thursday. This rise in price is due to the decision taken by the government on export. The effect can be seen only in the coming 5 days,” said Lasalgaon APMC Chairperson Suvarna Jagtap.

She said, “The arrival of onions has increased and it will go up as the rabi season starts. It is good that the government has lifted the ban or else in the coming weeks the prices would have dropped to Rs 1,000 to 1,200 per quintal resulting in losses for farmers.”

Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Aadte Association President Vilas Bhujbal said, “The wholesale rate, which was between Rs 1,400 to 1,700 per quintal, has increased to Rs 1,700 - 2,100 per quintal on Thursday, as demands from private exporters have increased. However, the supply continues to remain good so the prices are likely to remain like this.”

RIGHT PRICE FOR FARMERS
Farmers feel this move will help in controlling the falling prices of onion. Maruti Chindhe, Director, Vambori Farmers Producer Company in Ahmednagar district said, “The decision will benefit farmers as it will help in controlling the falling prices in the market. The wholesale rate will also depend on the conditions such as quantity and duty charges of the export which are yet to come.”

TRADE TO NORMALISE AFTER A MONTH
As the export ban was imposed for last six months, experts feel it will take at least a month for the trade to normalise, said Yogesh Thorat, Managing Director of MahaFPC.

Echoing the same, Eknath Sanap of Govardhan Farmer Producer Company in Nashik district said, “If everything starts on time, it will take at least 20 days to successfully complete one consignment as a lot of formalities are required for that. However, it will take a month for the flow of export to become normal.”

Pakistan government has imposed a ban on onion export in their country which is effective from February 27. This might benefit India’s export of onion, said Yogesh Thorat, Managing Director of MahaFPC.