Mandi Updates: Onion Prices Plummet, While Tomato Prices Rise

The wholesale prices of the two most essential kitchen ingredients are in dichotomy. While prices of onions have decreased, those of tomatoes have risen, according to the data by the Agmarknet portal, run by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The average wholesale prices of onions, as of February 21, fell month-on-month by Rs 336.24 per quintal to Rs 1,838.4 in February, while those of tomatoes rose by Rs 148.35 per quintal to Rs 2,105.17 during the same period.

The month-on-month wholesale onion prices fell in all the key mandis, except in Chhattisgarh, where they rose marginally to Rs 1,658 per quintal from Rs 1,629 in February. Prices of the bulbous crop fell in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, and many other states and union territories. Interestingly, the month-on-month wholesale prices of onions remained unchanged in Meghalaya at Rs 3,600 per quintal, in February.

In contrast to onion prices, prices of tomatoes increased in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Nagaland, Odisha, Telangana, Tripura, and West Bengal. However, the rise in prices was offset by a fall in prices in various states and union territories such as Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

India is the second-largest producer of onions and tomatoes in the world. The prices of these two agri-commodities are essential for tracking inflation in the country. They are grown throughout the year.

For those interested in exploring the prices of various crops in their respective state markets, the official website agmarknet.gov.in provides a comprehensive list. Understanding the price dynamics of different crops and their quality assessment remains pivotal in navigating market fluctuations for farmers and traders alike.