Bhubaneswar: Unseasonal rains and hailstorms in Nashik in Maharshtra, the key onion producing city in the country, have led to sudden rise in the prices of the tuber vegetable in Odisha.
The vegetable is currently being sold at Rs 52-54 a kg in Bhubaneswar while the price stands at Rs 52-53 in Chhatra Bazar, Cuttack. Similarly, the price has jumped to Rs 45 and Rs 50 in Berhampur and Khordha respectively. Consumers have to purchase the kitchen staple at Rs 50-53 in retail market in Balasore.
The traders in Odisha have attributed the price rise to decreasing supply chain due to rains in the producing State.
The volume of exports to Odisha and other States has decreased significantly leading to a sudden hike in prices, traders said.
"It was raining for last two days, which hit the farmers hard. Onions which were stored in the thatched houses got rotten as the roofs were blown away. The tuber usually gets damaged within two days as it absorbs water," said a Nashik-based farmer.