27 May,2026 07:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
Onion stock at the APMC Onion-Potato Market in Navi Mumbai, where traders have warned of a possible price surge ahead of Diwali due to crop losses and extreme heat. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Mumbai could soon face a sharp onion price surge ahead of Diwali, with traders at the APMC Onion-Potato Market in Navi Mumbai warning that extreme heat and unseasonal rain have severely damaged incoming stock.
According to traders and market officials, nearly 80 per cent of onions arriving at the wholesale market are damaged, leaving only a small quantity fit for sale. They warn that if the situation worsens, wholesale onion prices could rise to Rs 40-50 per kg during Diwali, while retail prices may touch Rs 60-70 per kg.
Traders said the crisis has hit both consumers and farmers, with growers claiming they are still receiving almost the same prices they got nearly a decade ago despite rising farming and transport costs.
"Due to unseasonal rain and now excessive heat, 80 per cent of onions in the market are damaged and just 20 per cent are in good condition," said Shyam Yashwant Narawade of Narawade & Sons Traders at the APMC onion-potato market.
He said heavy rain during the plantation period damaged crops, while extreme heat is now reducing the shelf life of onions stored inside warehouses.
Unseasonal rain
>> Heavy rain during plantation damaged onion crops
Extreme heat
>> Stored onions are rotting faster and losing shelf life
Onion stock at the APMC Onion-Potato Market in Navi Mumbai; traders claim only 20 per cent of incoming onions are currently fit for sale amid rising concerns over festive-season shortages. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Shrinking quality stock
>> Traders say only 20 per cent of arrivals are market-ready
Rising farming costs
>> Labour, transport and cultivation costs have increased sharply
Export restrictions
>> Traders claim repeated export bans over the past two years have hurt farmer earnings
Ajit Babaji Borhade, trader
Ajit Babaji Borhade backed the ongoing protests by onion farmers, saying growers are struggling despite rising costs. "Ten years ago, farmers were getting Rs 10 per kg, and even today they are getting the same price. But labour costs, transport and farming expenses have increased massively. In the last two years, export bans have been imposed several times. Farmers are not getting reasonable prices for their produce. That is why they are protesting on the roads."
Shyam Yashwant Narawade, trader
>> Onions stored in warehouses need dry and stable conditions
>> Excess moisture from rain weakens the crop
>> High temperatures speed up rotting and fungal damage
>> Damaged onions reduce storage life and market supply
Ashok Walunj, director of the APMC Market, linked the crisis directly to changing weather patterns.
"Out of every 100 containers arriving at the market, onions in nearly 80 containers are damaged. Only 20 containers
have good quality stock."
Walunj also demanded Minimum Support Price (MSP) protection for onion farmers, similar to sugarcane growers.
Detail Current situation
Damaged onion stock 80%
Good quality stock 20%
Current wholesale price (premium quality) Rs 10-15/kg
Current wholesale price (second quality) Rs 5-8/kg
Expected wholesale price during Diwali Rs 40-50/kg
Expected retail price during Diwali Rs 60-70/kg
