Nagaland's four locations are covered as the Centre distributes over 2,800 MT of buffer onions across the Northeast
DIMAPUR — Nagaland's Dimapur, Kohima, Niuland and Chümoukedima are among the locations covered by the Centre's distribution of buffer onions across the Northeast, with more than 2,800 metric tonnes (MT) dispatched to the region through rail and road transport to strengthen availability and moderate prices.
According to an update by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, the Department of Consumer Affairs is expanding the distribution of buffer onions under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), including the first-ever Kanda Express movement to Agartala, Tripura.
The initiative follows the movement of buffer onions to Assam through Kanda Express and is aimed at expanding supply outreach, improving last-mile availability and ensuring timely access to affordable onions across consumption centres.
So far, two Kanda Express rail rakes, carrying 840 MT and 452 MT of onions, respectively, and 44 truck consignments carrying a total of 1,513.46 MT have supplied buffer onions across the Northeast.
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The distribution has covered key locations in Assam, Tripura and Nagaland, including Kamrup, Guwahati, Gomati, Dimapur, Sepahijala, Kohima, Niuland and Chümoukedima.
The expansion of rail-based and road-based distribution is aimed at improving the reach of buffer stocks and supplementing market supplies in key consumption centres across the region.
Fresh Kharif arrivals improve market availability
The ministry stated that with fresh Kharif arrivals gathering pace, onion mandi prices have moderated across major markets.
The all-India average mandi price declined from a peak of approximately INR 3,600 per quintal in September to around INR 3,300 per quintal in October.
Calibrated releases from the onion buffer continue to supplement market supplies, improve availability and help moderate retail prices.
The Department of Consumer Affairs is continuing these interventions in response to prevailing market conditions to support consumer access to onions at affordable prices.
Retail onion prices decline in 211 cities
Over the past two weeks, 211 cities have reported a decline ranging from INR 1 to INR 13 per kg in retail onion prices.
The moderation has been observed across major consuming states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
In Assam, retail onion prices have also moderated in recent weeks, with around 12 centres in the state recording a decline ranging from INR 1 to INR 8 per kg.
The disparity between Assam's average retail onion prices and the all-India average has narrowed significantly over the past two years.
Two years ago, the average retail price in Assam stood at INR 61.96 per kg, compared with the all-India average of INR 54.13 per kg, representing a difference of INR 7.83 per kg.
Currently, Assam's average retail price stands at INR 54.30 per kg, while the all-India average is INR 53.07 per kg, reducing the difference to INR 1.23 per kg.
According to the ministry, this indicates a substantial narrowing of the regional price differential, with retail onion prices in Assam now broadly aligned with the national average.
Onion buffer disposal to continue
The government stated that it continues to monitor onion prices, market arrivals and supply conditions across the country.
Disposal of onions from the PSF buffer stock is guided by prevailing market conditions, price trends and availability requirements.
Further releases will be undertaken, as required, in accordance with approved operational decisions to ensure adequate market availability and help moderate undue price volatility.