The production of onion in the country is estimated to fall by 5% in the crop year 2012-13 (June-May), as per report compiled by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. The output of onion stood at 175.11 lakh tonnes (LT) in the crop year 2011-12, while in the year 2012-13 production is estimated at 166.55 LT (provisional).
The consumption of onion is estimated at approximately 10 LT on the domestic front while around 15-20 LT of onion are exported. Additionally, one LT of onion are used for seed production and 3-5 LT are processed every year. National Agricultural Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) procured 676.18 tonnes of onion valued at Rs 230 lakh in 2010-11, whereas in 2011-12 procurement of onion stood at 944.35 tonnes valued at Rs 68.30 lakh while the agency did not procure onion in 2012-13.
In the national capital onion is currently available at Rs 50-70 per kg. NAFED is offering onions at a price of Rs 40 per kg through its 5 outlets and mobile vans.
