Rain in Maharashtra reason for soaring onion prices in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Damage to onion crops in Maharashtra due to excessive rains has led to the skyrocketing price of the vegetable in Odisha market, Food and Supplies Minister Surya Narayan Patro said on Monday.

The average requirement of onion in the state is about 7 to 8 lakh tonnes a month. However, Patro said, the state produces only 80,000 to one lakh tonne onions due to which it is highly dependent on Maharashtra's Nasik and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh to meet the needs.

Therefore, production and price of onions in these two states have a direct impact on Odisha market, he said, adding that currently there is a fall in supply from both the states.

"In case the crisis continues, the Supplies department has identified major godowns in five different cities. The department officials have been directed to keep a close tab on the situation and watch on traders hoarding the commodity," added Patro.

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