27 May,2026 07:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis stated that there are currently no restrictions on onion exports. Pic/screengrab/X
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday met Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the ongoing crash in onion prices and the protests by farmers across Maharashtra.
After the meeting, Fadnavis said the Centre believes that the minimum support price (MSP) for onions should be increased in view of the current market situation.
At present, the Maharashtra government has announced a procurement price of Rs 1,580 per quintal for onions. However, farmers and Opposition parties are demanding that the rate be increased to Rs 3,000 per quintal.
Many farmers have claimed that they are currently receiving only Rs 1 to Rs 2 per kilogram in wholesale markets, leading to heavy financial losses.
The sharp fall in onion prices has triggered protests in several parts of the state, with onion growers demanding immediate government intervention.
Fadnavis also stated that there are currently no restrictions on onion exports, an issue that has often affected onion farmers in the past.
Farmers' groups have repeatedly argued that export restrictions reduce demand and affect market prices, especially during periods of surplus production.
The onion price issue has become a major concern in Maharashtra, one of the country's largest onion-producing states. Farmers have urged both the state and central governments to provide relief measures and ensure fair prices for their produce.
Further discussions between the Centre and the state government are expected in the coming days as authorities look for ways to stabilise onion prices and address farmers' concerns.
On Tuesday, leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, staged protests across the Nashik belt over the crash in onion prices and demanded immediate relief for farmers. The protest was led by Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal, NCP MLA Rohit Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve, who claimed that onion growers should get a minimum price of Rs 3000 per quintal for their produce. During the agitation, Danve questioned the government's claim regarding the support price of Rs 1580 per quintal and alleged that farmers were not actually getting that rate in the markets.
"Show us where procurement is happening at that price," he said, while accusing the government of failing to provide real relief to distressed farmers.
