Shreyas H S
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Jul 10: Even as the drastic spiraling in the price of onions has led consumers to think twice before purchasing this essential vegetable, traders operating from the coastal district blame the hoarders of Maharashtra for stocking the commodity which is in great demand.
In the district, the price of onions in the wholesale markets is hovering around Rs 31-33, whereas the traders are selling it at the rate of Rs 26-28. The situation is no different in the 11 outlets of HOPCOMS (Horticulture Production Co-operative Marketing Society) in DK and Udupi with the selling price fluctuating between Rs 28-30.
The primary supply of onions to the district is from the state of Maharashtra. Some of the onions are purchased by the traders from Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Agra. During the end of the monsoon, onions come from Hubli and Dharwad. Though every big trader in this region receives 30 tonnes of onions every week, the selling price quoted by Maharashtra traders has created such an economic situation for the commodity.
The owner of U M Traders, Bunder, opines that the gambling of Maharashtra traders on the weak monsoon caused the prices of onions to surge. “The quality of onions grown in Maharashtra is such that it can be stored for a few months,” he said, and contented that these traders have stashed onions to hike the prices.
“We are helpless and have no option but to purchase onions at the rate that has been quoted by the traders,” he added. He rubbished the allegation of hoarding of the vegetable in this region. He said, “We cannot stock onions as they will rot soon; instead it is essential for us to sell off the stock soon.”
Another trader Janardahana Kamath, adopting a similar stand pointed his finger at traders from whom he purchases. The deliberate hoarding has caused a surge in the price of onions in the district and across the country. He said, “We cannot hoard onions as the product is a perishable one.”
Pradeep, managing director of HOPCOMS, has a different line of argument, and opined that under suitable conditions, onions could be stored for over three months. “The sudden inflation in price is artificial and the traders have created panic the market. By hoarding the produce, they are creating the impression that production below market expectations has caused the prices to soar gradually this week.”
Pradeep maintained that the traders operating in the district are also indulging in stockingthe food produce. “Though, in public, they show helplessness at the price raise, the traders resort to the dirty tactics of hoarding,” he added.
The official from APMC, on the issue of bringing onions under the Essential Commodities Act, said that currently the APMC does not have the power to monitor the stock. When asked about the hoarding in the district, he refused to comment saying he does not have the required data on the table. “If the state government gives the power to monitor the arrivals and stock under the Essential Commodity Act 1955, the department will seek details from the traders,” he added.