Current onion prices are likely to make buyers cry: The pungent bulb, which cost about Rs 25 per kilo 10 days ago, is now drawing Rs 50 per kilo in the retail market. 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. Nashik districts meet 70% of Maharashtra's demand for the culinary staple and 50% of the nation's needs. "Currently, we are getting one lakh tonnes per month, against the average supply of 1.25 lakh tonne," said Patil. "Ten days ago, onions cost Rs 1200 per quintal in the wholesale market; now it costs Rs 2,400-to-2,600 per quintal. Prices in the retail market rate are always high (currently about Rs 40-50 per kg) with the addition of transport cost and other expenses." Ashok Walunje, trader and director of Agriculture Produce Market Committee (Vashi), said the supply has dried up while the demand has increased. "We are now getting the surplus onions stored by farmers in the summer. The crop cannot withstand the moisture in the air and there is almost 50% wastage. As it continues to rain, we cannot afford to store what we get," he said. Sunil Wankhede, a farmer from Jalgaon, had put away surplus crop in summer in the hope of selling it at a high price later. "In summer, we were forced to sell onions at Rs 5 to Rs 8 per kg. Now, in wholesale price is more than Rs 20 per kg, but half my harvest has rotted. Considering the high damage, there is no rise in my profit. The government should compensate us for the damages," he said.

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