The government on Monday said vegetable prices will start falling from July as supplies are expected to improve. It also said that after the implementation of stock limit, the prices of tur and gram have started falling. However, no decline has been seen in the retail prices of both the pulses so far.
While giving information to the media on the prices of essential commodities, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said that due to the government’s decision to impose stock limit on tur and gram, there has been some decline in the (wholesale) prices of these two pulses.
On high prices of onion and potatoes, he said that due to high prices of other vegetables, consumers are turning to these key vegetables, resulting in increased demand. He said prospects of Kharif onion are good due to expectation of better than normal monsoon this year.
The Secretary expressed hope that higher production of Kharif onion may help meet the festive demand as the current Rabi season crop continues till November. The area of Kharif onion may increase to 3.76 lakh hectares as compared to last year’s 2.85 lakh hectares.
onion production
Trade sources said Rabi onion production may be 30 per cent lower than the earlier estimate of around 20 per cent depending on the arrival of the crop so far.
Rabi onion production in 2023-24 (July-June) is estimated to decline to 193 lakh tonnes (litre) from 236 lakh tonnes a year ago, which is a decline of 18 per cent. Rabi onion is important for onion availability in the country as it contributes 72-75 percent to the annual production. Rabi crop is also important to ensure availability of onion throughout the year as it has better shelf-life than Kharif onion and can be stored for supply till November-December.
The Center on June 21 imposed stock limits on tur and chana with immediate effect, which will be applicable to wholesalers, retailers, large chain retailers, millers and importers and will be valid till September 30. The measure will help “prevent hoarding and dishonest betting”. And affordability for consumers will also improve, the government said.
Under the order, stock limits for tur and chana (including chickpea) have been set at – 200 tonnes for wholesalers, 5 tonnes for retailers, including each retail outlet of large chains. However, for larger chain retailers the depot will have a maximum of 200 tonnes. The maximum stock limit for mill owners is a quantity equal to the last three months of production or 25 per cent of the annual installed capacity, whichever is higher.
The all India average retail price of chana dal was ₹88.28/kg on June 24 and ₹87.96/kg on June 19. Similarly, the average retail price of tur dal stood at ₹161.57/kg on Monday, compared to ₹161.27/kg on Monday. According to data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, on June 19.
Official data also shows that all-India average onion prices in the retail market rose 70 per cent to ₹39.69/kg and average potato prices rose 50 per cent to ₹33/kg on June 24 from a year ago levels. .
