NEW DELHI, AUG 27 (PTI): The Centre on Thursday started retail sale of onion at Rs 35 per kg in the national capital, a 44 per cent discount from the current market price, as part of its efforts to provide relief to common people and control rates.
The Centre is selling onion from its buffer stock.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said the prices have risen because of black marketing, hoarding and profiteering.
She asserted that the country has adequate supply of onions to meet demand during the festive season.
Khare said the government is not considering putting a ban on onion exports, as there is no problem of supply. During April-June 2026, onion exports stood at approximately 3.82 lakh tonnes. She flagged off many small trucks carrying onions, marking the start of retail sale of the buffer onion stock at Rs 35 per kg.
In Delhi, the price of onion on Thursday is Rs 62 per kg. The retail sale will be carried out through three agencies — Nafed, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar. Mother Dairy will also sell through its Safal stores.
To move supplies quickly, the government is transporting bulk onion consignments to the capital via dedicated railway rakes christened “Kanda Express”. The first such rake, carrying 800 tonne of onions, has already left Nashik and is expected to reach Delhi on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Department of Consumer Affairs said, “Onion availability is comfortable to meet domestic demand in the coming months”. The onion production is estimated at 307.37 lakh tonnes in 2025-26 against 307.67 lakh tonnes in the preceding year.
“Robust production, availability of buffer stocks and proactive market interventions are expected to ensure adequate supplies and moderate seasonal price pressures in the coming months,” the department said. To protect consumers’ and farmers’ interests, the department said it is closely monitoring onion prices, arrivals and availability across states. It will take more steps, if needed, to ensure adequate supplies and prevent unwarranted price increases.
“With the onset of the festive season, including Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali and the wedding season, onion prices typically witness a seasonal uptick owing to higher demand and supply-chain factors,” the department said.
To ensure adequate supply and control prices, the government has started a calibrated and targeted release of onions from the buffer stock.
About 1.21 lakh tonnes of onions have been procured by the government for the buffer stock. The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) has been engaged for the first time as the storage agency for the onion buffer during 2026-27.
