For the second time this month, wholesale onion traders operating within the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) of Nashik have initiated an indefinite strike in protest against a substantial 40 percent increase in export duties imposed on onions until December.
The abrupt hike in export duty has raised concerns within the farming community as it threatens to impede onion exports, resulting in significant financial losses. This setback comes at a time when farmers are already grappling with erratic monsoon conditions this year.
The announcement of the strike has ignited fears of potential shortages and subsequent rises in retail onion prices, casting a shadow over the upcoming festival season. In response to this action, Marketing Minister Abdul Sattar has issued stern warnings of punitive measures against the protesting traders.
The primary demands of the traders involve the rollback of the elevated export duty on onions, among other issues.
It’s worth noting that just last month, onion wholesalers had staged a similar protest, which was subsequently called off following the intervention of Union Minister Bharti Pawar, who represents the district. The prior demonstration had been purportedly triggered by the Central government’s failure to fulfill its commitment that the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) would purchase onions from farmers at a price of Rs 2,410 per quintal, a rate that was not met.
As the week began, over 18,000 quintals of onions were put up for auction at Nashik APMCs, fetching approximately Rs 2,000 per quintal.
Currently, retail prices for onions in urban centers such as Mumbai range between Rs 20 and Rs 25 per kilogram, varying according to size and quality. (Edited)
