(a) whether there is a shortage of onions in the country due to low production across
the country;
(b) if so, whether prices of onions have risen sharply and are likely to rise further on
account of its short supply;
(c) if so, the remedial steps taken/ proposed to be taken to improve availability and
check prices of onions; and
(d) the details of States where onion production is increasing during the last three
years and the current year, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a)to(c): There is no shortage of onion in our country. However scarcity like situation
has been felt due to late arrival of monsoon during the current year leading to delayed
sowing and subsequent late arrival of onion in the market.
The prices of onion ruled low from April, 2008 to October, 2008 as compared to
previous year of the same period. The arrivals of fresh kharif crop of Onion in
Maharashtra and Gujarat was delayed by a month which generally start arriving in second
fortnight/last week of October owing to late sowing. Hence the onion prices showed
some upward trend from November, 2008. The situation is likely to improve by second
half of the month of December, 2008. The area under Rabi onion is expected to be more
compared to last year. Therefore, the availability of onion in the market will further
improve in the coming months and it is expected to bring down the prices of onion.
(d): A statement showing the details of States where onion production is increasing
during the last three years and the current year is given in Annexure-I.