Rajkot: With onion, prices skyrocketing, the All India Vegetables Dehydrated Manufacturers Development Association (AIVDMDA) has said that if dehydrated onions are promoted as an alternative, the demand-supply gap in the domestic market could be reduced.
The association has been perusing with the government to promote dehydrated onion in the local market which costs around Rs 15/ kg even in off-season (August to January). The AIVDMDA has also shown readiness to dehydrate red onion if there is a demand.
The onion prices in the local market have touched Rs 80/kg over the past few months because of damage to crops due to excessive rain and shortage of quality onion in the retail market.
Manoj Ram, president of AIVDMDA said “If the government promotes dehydrated onion, the price of fresh onion remain in control as there will be enough supply in the domestic market.”
According to industry experts, there is stock of nearly of 25,000 tonne of dehydrated onions at any given point of time in the year and during peak season the stock goes up to 40,000 tonne. It takes 8kg fresh onion to produce one kilogram of dehydrated onion.
The AIVDMA is ready to make available dehydrated onions 500gm and 1kg packs for the retail market.
Vittha Koradia former president of AIVDMDA said “If government promotes dehydrated onion in the domestic market we believe this will prevent price rise of fresh onions in the lean season.
There are nearly 115 onion dehydration plants in Mahuva of Bhavnagar district and 40 units in Amreli and Rajkot districts. These plants dehydrate nearly 70,000 tonne of onion every year.