Onion Arrivals At Kurnool Market Fall Sharply As Prices Surge

The Kurnool Agricultural Market, which usually witnesses brisk onion trading during this season, has lost much of its bustle, with arrivals declining sharply due to reduced cultivation and production attributed to El Niño conditions.

Between September 15 and October 15 last year, the market received around 1.46 lakh quintals of onions. In contrast, arrivals have remained below 40,000 quintals so far during the period this year, accounting for less than 30 per cent of last year's volume.

The shortage has pushed onion prices to around ₹70 per kg. Traders forecast a further increase in prices if supplies do not improve.

“Onion production has declined considerably this year. The impact is clearly visible in market arrivals. If supplies remain low, prices are likely to rise further in the coming days,” said S. Mahaboob Basha, an onion wholesale trader.

The decline in arrivals at the Kurnool Agricultural Market is not limited to onions. Arrivals of millets and oilseeds have also fallen significantly. Bajra arrivals have been particularly poor. The market received more than 1,700 quintals from September 15 to October 15 last year. Not even a single kilogram has arrived so far this year, traders said.

Market officials revealed that overall, the market received 1.80 lakh quintals of various agricultural commodities last year. This year, arrivals have dropped to just 48,000 quintals this year.

Traders said the sharp decline in agricultural production had affected the supply of several commodities, raising concerns of shortage and rise in commodity prices in the coming weeks.