After a 13-day halt, onion auctions have resumed at all 15 Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in Nashik. However, the return of auctions on Tuesday brought disappointment to farmers as they witnessed lower rates for their produce.
Lasalgaon APMC, renowned as Asia’s largest wholesale onion market, witnessed around 545 vehicles arriving on Tuesday morning. The initial auction session reported onion prices ranging from a minimum of ₹800 per quintal, a maximum of ₹2,541 per quintal, and an average of ₹2,051 per quintal.
In other APMC markets across Nashik district, the average rates fell between ₹1,800 and ₹2,000 per quintal.
Balasaheb Darade, President of the Lasalgaon APMC Traders’ Association, commented on the situation, stating, “The market resumed after 13 days, and the rates remained stable, similar to those reported on September 19 during the last auction. The fluctuation in auction rates can be attributed to the significant influx of onion stock into the markets.”
The recent disruption in onion auctions was a result of onion traders launching an indefinite strike on September 20. They demanded the rollback of the Centre’s decision to increase the export duty on onions to 40 percent.
The strike was finally called off after a meeting with the district guardian minister, Dada Bhuse, under the condition that the government would address their demands within a month. Khandu Deore, President of the Nashik District Onion Traders Association, expressed the possibility of resuming the strike if their demands are not met.
However, despite the resumption of auctions, many farmers expressed dissatisfaction with the rates offered by traders in APMC markets. Sambhaji Nere, an onion farmer, lamented that he received an offer of ₹1,850 per quintal for his produce at the Vinchur APMC market. This rate, he emphasized, would yield minimal profits.
Another farmer, Tukaram Shinde, compared the present rates unfavorably with the ₹2,500 per quintal rate offered on the last day of auctions before the strike-induced closure, highlighting the notable difference.
The uncertainty surrounding onion prices continues to be a concern for both farmers and traders as they navigate the ever-fluctuating market dynamics.
