Onion prices jump 140 percent in a year as India supply tightens
Summary
Onion prices in Nepal have surged up to 140 percent in a year as tighter supplies from India and disruptions on the Prithvi Highway push retail rates to Rs110-Rs140 per kg. Importers and market officials say the country’s heavy reliance on Indian onions has made local prices highly vulnerable to shortages and transport problems.
Key Points
- The Kalimati market says onion wholesale prices have jumped 20.77 percent in a week, 68.65 percent in a month and 140 percent in a year.
- Retail onion prices in Nepal have climbed to Rs110-Rs140 per kg as supplies from India tighten.
- Unseasonal rain, hailstorms and delayed kharif sowing have reduced stocks in India, while Prithvi Highway disruptions have further squeezed supply in Nepal.
- Authorities in Nepal have intensified inspections of onions, sugar and cooking gas to curb black marketing and artificial price hikes.
