Onion Price Relief! Govt Sells 4,000 Tonnes to Cool Soaring Markets

The government has taken swift action to tackle the soaring onion prices, selling approximately 4,000 tonnes of buffer onions across 17 cities in just the first 10 days of a new subsidised sale initiative. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare announced on Sunday, September 6, 2026, that this move aims to bring much-needed relief to consumers.

Through its key agencies, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (Nafed), the Centre is tapping into its substantial buffer stock of 1.21 lakh tonnes of onions reserved for the year 2026. These agencies are orchestrating the transport of bulk onion consignments from producing states to major consumption hubs, utilizing a dedicated rail service aptly named “Kanda Express,” as well as trucks.

Onions are being made available at a subsidised rate of ₹35 per kg in selected price-sensitive cities.

Ms. Khare confirmed that bulk consignments have already reached major cities like Delhi and Chennai via the Kanda Express, with a third rake now being prepared for dispatch to Guwahati in the coming days.

The NCCF's Managing Director, Anice Joseph Chandra, added that her federation alone has distributed 1,500 tonnes of these buffer onions so far, focusing on retail sales at the ₹35 per kg price point.

According to officials, this retail intervention is already showing positive results.

The distribution of buffer onions has brought some relief to consumers. Prices have fallen slightly,

Ms. Khare stated, assuring the public that the quality and size of the government's buffer stock are comparable to what private traders offer.

The recent surge in onion prices has been attributed to multiple factors. A significant reason is the damage suffered by the rabi onion crop, typically stored for later release, due to untimely rains during harvesting. Additionally, the government has also pointed fingers at middlemen for exacerbating the price situation.

Consumers can anticipate further improvements in supply with the arrival of fresh kharif onions, expected from mid-October.

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