Onion Prices Surge In Hyderabad As Supply Drops From Maharashtra

Onion prices have sharply increased across Hyderabad, with white onions reaching nearly Rs 100 per kilogram and red onions selling between Rs 60 and Rs 70 per kilogram following a drop in supplies from Maharashtra.

The steep jump in prices comes just two months after vendors across the city were selling red onions from mobile vehicles at Rs 20 per kilogram, or six kilograms for Rs 100. The sudden surge has impacted household budgets, prompting residents, roadside vendors, and local hotels to cut back on onion consumption.

Telangana generally relies on imports from Maharashtra to meet its daily onion demand. However, a lack of rainfall and subsequent crop failures in Maharashtra have led to a sharp decrease in shipments arriving in the state. Officials noted that onion markets typically experience seasonal volatility and upward price pressure starting from August and September due to festival demand, weather disruptions, and supply chain movements.

To curb price volatility and increase market availability, the central government stated that it is continuously monitoring wholesale and retail prices and releasing onions from national buffer stocks in a calibrated manner based on market requirements.

As part of these market interventions, the government has utilized the 'Kanda Express' initiative to transport onions in bulk via railway networks to major consumption centres. During 2024-25, nearly 12,000 metric tonnes of onions were transported using 14 railway rakes across five cities. The initiative expanded in 2025-26 to 86 rakes transporting 88,000 metric tonnes to 16 major cities.

For the current season, onion transportation from Nashik to key consumption hubs commenced on August 24. Authorities confirmed that additional market interventions will be carried out as required to stabilise supplies and protect consumers from further price escalation.