Even ‘Kanda Express’ could not reduce the price! Why onions are sold for 60-70 rupees in big cities?

Onion prices have greatly disturbed the common people of the country. Kanda Express was started by Govt. After which onions were transported across the country. Onion prices were also reduced to Rs 35 under government subsidy. Even then, the retail price of onion in major cities of the country is between 50 to 60 rupees. In some areas this figure ranges between 60 to 70 rupees. Let us also tell you what kind of data has come out about onions.

Even after the government’s relief, prices are skyrocketing

Despite the government’s move to sell onions at a subsidized rate of Rs 35 per kg from its buffer stock, onion prices remained high in the metro retail markets on Tuesday. The retail price of onion in big cities is between Rs 53 to Rs 60 per kg. Among metros, onions are selling at Rs 53 per kg in Delhi, a little below Rs 58 per kg in Mumbai and Rs 60 per kg in Kolkata and Chennai, according to consumer affairs ministry data. Despite central intervention to control prices, onion retail prices remain high. On September 22, the all-India average retail price of onion was Rs 54.2 per kg. Maximum price Rs. 100 per kg, while the minimum price was Rs. 29 per kg.

There is no relief in major states of the country

Data from private trade shows that retail prices are much higher than the ministry’s figures. For example, in Delhi, onions were sold in the range of Rs 60-70 per kg depending on the quality and region, while the ministry indicated a rate of Rs 53 per kg for the capital. A similar situation is being seen in Mumbai and Kolkata. Where the price of onion is seen above 50 rupees and 60 rupees per kg. According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the average price of onion in Maharashtra is Rs 51.74 per kg. On the other hand, the price in West Bengal was seen at Rs 55.77 per kg. In Uttar Pradesh, the price is Rs 61 per kg and in Manipur Rs 71 per kg.

Government relief has no effect

The government is augmenting domestic supply by selling buffer stock at a subsidized rate of Rs 35 per kg in Delhi and over 50 other cities across the country. The Center has kept a buffer stock of 1.21 lakh tonnes of onion for 2026 through its nodal agencies NCCF and NAFED. To reduce prices, these agencies are transporting large quantities of stored onions from producing states to consumption centers. Some onions are being sent by Kanda Express and some by road. Under this scheme, onion is sold at a subsidized rate of Rs 35 per kg in selected price-sensitive cities.