Summary:
The reason for the abrupt hike is the consistent rain in the onion growing belt across Maharashtra and Karnataka. "The heavy rainfall has damaged the surplus crop stored in the summer and affected the sowing of new crop. The next harvest will now be delayed," said Nanasaheb Patil, director of Lasalgaon onion market in Nasik district, Asia's largest onion market. "Ten days ago, onions cost Rs 1200 per quintal in the wholesale market; now it costs Rs 2,400-to-2,600 per quintal. "In summer, we were forced to sell onions at Rs 5 to Rs 8 per kg..