Cheaper Onions Arrive: NCCF Offers at ₹19/kg
The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF), which procured onions along with NAFED under the price stabilisation mechanism, has started the retail sale of onions at ₹19 per kg in the Delhi-NCR region. This is significantly lower than the prevailing market prices, which are currently in the range of ₹25–35 per kg, offering much-needed relief to consumers.
To manage domestic availability and prices, the government had imposed several trade restrictions on onions in recent years. These included a 20% export duty introduced on September 13 last year, which was later withdrawn with effect from April 1, 2025. In FY25, the government also enforced minimum export prices and even resorted to a near-total ban on onion exports for almost five months, from December 8, 2023 to May 3, 2024.
Following the easing of export curbs, India exported about 0.72 million tonnes of onions during April–September of the 2025–26 fiscal year. The resumption of exports, alongside domestic price stabilisation efforts by agencies such as NCCF and NAFED, reflects the government’s balanced approach towards supporting farmers while ensuring affordable prices for consumers.
