Cuttack/ Bhubaneswar: The consumers had pinned hopes that the prices of onions will come down after imports from Egypt arrive in Odisha. However, it seems that there are no takers for the imported ones in Cuttack, thanks to its unfamiliar size and variety that are driving consumers away.
According to traders, the weight of one imported onion ranges between 500 grams to 800 grams. It is practically impossible for them to sell it to certain consumers who often buy 250 grams of onion, the traders informed.
“We had bought the imported onions at Rs 80 per kg and sold it at a price between Rs 85 and Rs 90. However, the consumers are reluctant to buy as a single piece of onion weighs over 500 grams,” said Jagannath Chhatoi, a trader in Cuttack.
Chhatoi further stated that as there is huge difference in the taste, the consumers are insisting on the onion variety from Nashik in Maharastra.
Panchanan Chhatoi, another small trader rued that as there is no demand for Egypt onions, they will not procure more stock of imported onions.
“As there is possibility that such imported onion stock will get damaged early and the consumers are reluctant to buy it, we have decided not to procure such onions in coming days,” said Panchanan.
“We had hoped that the prices of onions will come down after imports arrive in Odisha. But things have become all the more worse as we are still forced to buy onions at Rs 90 to Rs 100 a kilo,” said Kishore Mohanty, a consumer.