Centre begins targeted release of onions from buffer stocks to ensure adequate availability & check seasonal price rise
The Government has commenced calibrated and targeted release of onions from the buffer stock to ensure adequate availability and moderate seasonal price pressures in the coming months.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has said that onion availability is comfortable to meet domestic demand in the coming months, as estimated production of onions for 2025-26 is over 307 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT). It added that in view of the comfortable production outlook, the Government has fixed a procurement target of two lakh metric tonnes of Rabi onion for the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) buffer during 2026-27.
The procurement operation commenced on the 15th of May and around 1.21 LMT of onions have been procured for the buffer. The Ministry added that onions will be sold at 35 rupees per kilogram through mobile vans and retail outlets of the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), as well as through Safal and Kendriya Bhandar outlets.
The Ministry said the first Kanda Express has left Nashik and is expected to reach Delhi NCR with about 800 metric tonnes of onions late evening today or by tomorrow morning. Simultaneously, supplies are being moved through road transport to other major consumption centres across the country.
