Navi Mumbai: Retail onion prices in Mumbai Metropolitan Region have risen to Rs 60-70 per kg from Rs 40-50 last week amid reduced supplies and higher festival demand, and traders expect a further 10-15% increase after Ganpati festival.Wholesale prices at Mumbai APMC market in Vashi increased to Rs 40-45 per kg from Rs 32-38 last week. Onion arrivals have declined to 80-90 vehicles against Mumbai market’s regular requirement of more than 100 vehicles.APMC trader Ashok Valunj attributed the supply-demand mismatch to substantial crop damage during the initial monsoon period in June and rising demand. He said high prices were likely to continue until the fresh harvest arrives in Nov.Traders said govt intervention through the release of summer buffer stock after prices rose last month had provided temporary stability. However, increasing demand created a shortfall, pushing up prices since the beginning of Sept.Tomato prices remained stable at Rs 15-16 per kg in the wholesale market and Rs 30-40 in retail markets. Lemon prices reached a season’s high at Rs 65-75 per dozen at APMC, while retail prices rose to Rs 10 apiece.Cauliflower wholesale prices increased to Rs 40-50 per kg from Rs 20-30 last week, taking retail rates to Rs 80-100 from Rs 40-60. Cluster beans rose to Rs 120 per kg in the retail market from Rs 80, followed by a wholesale rate of Rs 60-70 per kg from the previous Rs 40-50.APMC Vegetable Traders Association president Balasaheb Badade said erratic weather had forced traders to sell leafy vegetables cheaply to avoid dumping unsold stock the following day, whereas other vegetable prices are within the regular slab.
