Last updated: 17 October 2026. Prices vary by city and quality.
Onions have become one of the most expensive items in the kitchen again. The all-India average retail price was ₹53.15 a kg on 13 October, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs, against about ₹26.73 a year earlier. That is a rise of roughly 99%: prices have almost exactly doubled in a year. In parts of Delhi-NCR, good-quality onions are selling for up to ₹80 a kg.
The timing hurts. Onion demand rises during the festive season, and the spike is now showing up clearly in India’s inflation numbers.
Key takeaways
- The average retail price of onions is about ₹53 a kg, double a year ago; it’s up to ₹80 in parts of Delhi.
- The RBI says onion prices rose about 85% between end-June and end-September alone, sharper than the usual seasonal rise.
- Wholesale prices are close to four times last year’s, but that’s partly because 2025 prices were unusually low. Compared with 2024, wholesale prices are actually slightly lower.
- Food inflation jumped to 7.74% in September, with onions among the biggest drivers.
- Relief should come as the new kharif crop arrives over the next few weeks; wholesale prices in Lasalgaon have already started to ease.
The numbers
| Measure | A year ago | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-India average retail price | ~₹26.73/kg | ₹53.15/kg (13 Oct) | ~+99% |
| Average wholesale mandi price | ₹947/quintal (15 Sep 2025) | ₹3,737/quintal (15 Sep 2026) | ~4x |
| Delhi-NCR retail (good quality) | — | Up to ₹80/kg | — |
| Government subsidised price | — | ₹35/kg | — |
There’s an important piece of context here. Last year, onion prices were unusually low, and many farmers were selling at a loss. Wholesale prices in September 2026 were about 5% below where they were in September 2024. So part of the dramatic year-on-year jump is a recovery from a very weak base. For households, though, that’s little comfort: the price at the shop has still doubled in twelve months.
Why onion prices jumped
1. Damage to the stored rabi crop. India grows three onion crops a year. The biggest is the rabi crop, harvested around March–April and stored to supply the market until roughly October. This year, unseasonal rain and hailstorms in Maharashtra, the largest onion-producing state, damaged the late rabi crop and hurt the quality of stored onions. Stocks have been running out faster than usual.
2. A late kharif crop. The monsoon arrived late, which delayed sowing of the kharif crop in Maharashtra. That stretched the gap between the end of the stored crop and the arrival of fresh onions, the period when prices typically peak.
3. Festive demand. Demand for onions rises ahead of Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali, adding pressure when supply is already tight.
4. Hoarding, says the government. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare has blamed part of the rise on hoarding, black marketing and profiteering, and maintains that overall supply is adequate.
Higher transport costs, with diesel more expensive because of high crude oil prices, and losses during storage also add to what consumers pay. Retailers say 20–30% of onions can spoil, so they price that loss in, which is one reason retail prices fall more slowly than wholesale ones.
What it’s doing to inflation
Onions carry outsized weight in India’s inflation story because almost every household buys them every week. In September, retail inflation rose to 5.54% from 4.83% in August, and food inflation jumped to 7.74% from 5.97%. Onion inflation was reportedly above 100%, even as tomato and potato prices were lower than a year ago.
The RBI flagged the onion surge in its October policy documents, noting the August–September rise was sharper than the usual seasonal pick-up because of low rabi stocks and uncertainty over kharif arrivals. It now expects inflation of 5.2% for 2026-27, and 6% in October–December, the upper edge of its comfort range. Rising food and fuel prices are part of why the RBI raised its repo rate to 5.50% this month.
What the government is doing
- Buffer stock sales. The Centre holds about 1.21 lakh tonnes of onions in its buffer stock, through NAFED and NCCF. Since 28 August it has been selling them at ₹35 a kg through outlets and mobile vans in price-sensitive cities; about 4,000 tonnes were sold in the first ten days across 17 cities.
- No export ban, for now. The government has said an export ban isn’t being considered because there is no shortage of onions. That matters to farmers, who were hit hard by export restrictions in the past.
- Possible end to subsidised sales. Reports suggest the subsidised sales may be wound down around Diwali as fresh supply arrives.
When will prices come down?
The answer depends on the new kharif crop, and early signs are positive. Harvesting began in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in late August, and arrivals are rising. In early October, wholesale prices for good-quality onions at Lasalgaon in Maharashtra, Asia’s largest onion market, fell by about 11% from the previous month. Imports from Egypt are adding to supply.
Retail prices usually take a few weeks to follow wholesale prices down. Traders expect the market to stay volatile until Diwali, with a clearer easing as more of the kharif crop reaches markets through November. A weak kharif harvest or heavy unseasonal rain would delay that relief.
Tips to save on onions
- Check for subsidised outlets. NAFED and NCCF outlets and vans in many cities sell at ₹35 a kg while stocks last.
- Don’t stockpile. Buying large quantities at peak prices rarely pays off, especially with fresh supply arriving and storage losses at home.
- Compare grades. Medium-quality onions can be noticeably cheaper than the premium grade and work fine for everyday cooking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of onions in India today?
The all-India average retail price was ₹53.15 a kg on 13 October 2026. Prices vary by city, with good-quality onions selling at up to ₹80 a kg in parts of Delhi-NCR.
Why are onion prices so high in 2026?
Unseasonal rain and hail damaged the stored rabi crop in Maharashtra, stocks ran out faster than usual, and the late monsoon delayed the kharif crop. Festive demand added to the pressure. The government also blames hoarding.
When will onion prices fall?
Wholesale prices have started easing as the new kharif crop arrives. Retail prices typically follow within a few weeks, so relief is likely after Diwali if the harvest holds up.
Will the government ban onion exports?
Not for now. The government has said a ban isn’t being considered because there is no shortage. It is instead selling buffer stock at ₹35 a kg.
Sources
- Retail prices and Delhi-NCR rates: International News and Views
- Wholesale mandi prices: AgroSpectrum
- Causes and government position on exports: The Kathmandu Post
- RBI on onion prices and inflation forecast: Business Upturn
- September inflation: Usthadian
- Buffer stock sales: Business Standard
- Kharif arrivals and Lasalgaon prices: FreshPlaza
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. Prices change daily and vary by city, market and quality.
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