Onion Prices Surge: The Govt. To Run Kanda Express

According to reports, Onion prices have risen sharply in India. In the aftermath, the Centre will start releasing its buffer stock of onions from Monday to control rising prices in the country. Notably, the average retail price of onion increased to Rs 42 per kg on Saturday, which is up 45% from a year ago and 19% higher than last month. Trains carrying onions, called the Kanda Express, will run from Nashik to other cities such as Chennai, Delhi, Kochi and Guwahati. These are the cities where retail onion prices are higher than the national average.

What are the onion prices in metro cities & what’s the government’s plan?

Data from the Consumer Affairs Department said onions sold for Rs 65 per kg in Delhi on Saturday, in the comparison of last year’s price, which stood around Rs 35 per kg, while in Chennai, prices were reported around Rs 58 per kg, which were Rs 33 per kg last year. Not only this, but the prices of onions are also higher in Assam and Kerala.
According to officials, Onions will be released at lower prices in a calibrated manner, as some traders may be pushing up the prices. Moreover, they said that adequate onion stock is available with the govt and with farmers to fulfil the demand in the upcoming months. Notably, the government last operated Kanda Express trains from Nashik to Delhi and other parts of the country to control prices in October 2024. Additionally, as per market insiders, reports of a 5% to 7% decline in Kharif onion output in Maharashtra have contributed to the rise in onion prices. Significantly, Maharashtra is the largest onion-producing state.

The second advance estimate of the agriculture ministry stated that in the 2025-26 crop year, which is from July to June, onion production is estimated at 307 lakh tonnes. It is very similar to the production recorded in the 2024-25 crop year.