Onion Prices Could Rise Sharply in Mumbai and Pune as Crops Damaged by Unseasonal Rains
Unseasonal pre-monsoon rains in Maharashtra have compounded the woes of onion farmers by causing widespread crop damage and financial distress.
Heavy Rains Wreck Onion Crops
Since May 6, heavy rainfall has lashed key onion-producing regions, including Nashik, Pune, Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Latur, Amravati, and Nagpur. Bharat Dighole, founder-president of the Maharashtra State Onion Producers Farmers Association, confirmed that thousands of acres of onion crops have been destroyed, leaving farmers facing severe losses.
“Farmers who harvested before March had decent yields, but those harvesting in April-May suffered due to excessive heat followed by unseasonal rains,” Dighole said. Many farmers lack storage facilities, leaving harvested onions exposed to the downpour, while standing crops have also been damaged.
Prices Low For Now But Could Rise Sharply Soon
The crisis has worsened an already dire price situation. Although the prices are low currently but they could rise sharply soon enough due to supply constrains. In the Lasalgaon wholesale market, the average onion price stood at ₹1,150 per quintal as of May 20, a sharp decline from previous months. The rains have now disrupted supply chains, potentially leading to future price hikes for consumers.
Record Onion Cultivation, Yet Farmers Struggle
Despite onion cultivation reaching a record 6,51,965 hectares in 2024-25—up from 4,64,884 hectares in 2023-24—farmers are reeling from losses. Nashik, the largest onion-producing region in India, alone accounted for 2,90,136 hectares this year.
Export Restrictions Add to Farmers’ Woes
Despite export bans and restrictions since 2019, Maharashtra remains India’s top onion exporter. In 2022-23, the state exported 25.25 lakh tonnes, earning ₹4,522 crore in foreign exchange. However, sudden government interventions—such as export duties and minimum export prices—have hurt farmers’ incomes.
Dighole urged the government to clarify annual domestic demand to help farmers plan production better. “When prices rise, the government restricts exports, leaving farmers in distress,” he said.
What Lies Ahead?
With rains continuing and crop assessments pending, the full extent of the damage remains unclear. However, reduced supply could soon push onion prices higher in urban markets like Mumbai and Pune, impacting household budgets.
Farmers now await government relief measures, while consumers brace for potential price surges in the coming weeks.
