Tamil Nadu is the major producer and consumer of small onions (shallot) in India. Small onion is traditionally grown in Dindigul, Tiruppur, Perambalur, Trichy, Namakkal, Theni and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu. In recent years, shallot cultivation is gradually replacing the Bellary onion which is already confined to a very small area in the State.
Tamil Nadu is the major producer and consumer of small onions (shallot) in India. Small onion is traditionally grown in Dindigul, Tiruppur, Perambalur, Trichy, Namakkal, Theni and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu. In recent years, shallot cultivation is gradually replacing the Bellary onion which is already confined to a very small area in the State.
According to trade sources, small onion production in the State is nearly half of the normal production because of poor rainfall during the crop period. Now with onions coming into the market from the Palladam area alone, farmers widely cultivated CO (On) 5 - a variety released by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University which has a high yield, with an attractive pink colour and bold-sized bulbs. They are highly preferred for both domestic and export markets. But, export has not picked up in the South East Asian countries in the recent past.
Shallot harvested in the Perambalur area is currently stored for seed purpose and hence poor supply to markets firms up the onion price. Onion arrival from Karnataka are also expected to be low since only 50 per cent of the normal production is anticipated. Around late-June, small onions from Mysore and Chamarajpet in Karnataka is expected to hit Tamil Nadu markets. Till then, the good prices for small onions will continue to bring cheer to onion farmers in Tamil Nadu during the current season.
The TN-IAM Project funded Price Forecasting Scheme of the Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, TNAU analyzed the historical prices that prevailed in the Dindigul market for small onions in the past 20 years. As per the results of the time series analysis, the farmgate prices of good quality small onions till the end of June would be around Rs.45 per kg and subsequent price fluctuation would be subjected to the arrival from Karnataka and anticipated export demand. Hence, the farmers have been advised to take selling decisions accordingly.
For Marketing details, contact:
Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell
Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS)
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore - 641 003.
Phone: 0422-2431405
For Technical Details, contact:
Professor and Head
Department of Vegetable crops
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore-641003
Phone: 0422-6611374, 6611283
According to trade sources, small onion production in the State is nearly half of the normal production because of poor rainfall during the crop period. Now with onions coming into the market from the Palladam area alone, farmers widely cultivated CO (On) 5 - a variety released by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University which has a high yield, with an attractive pink colour and bold-sized bulbs. They are highly preferred for both domestic and export markets. But, export has not picked up in the South East Asian countries in the recent past.
Shallot harvested in the Perambalur area is currently stored for seed purpose and hence poor supply to markets firms up the onion price. Onion arrival from Karnataka are also expected to be low since only 50 per cent of the normal production is anticipated. Around late-June, small onions from Mysore and Chamarajpet in Karnataka is expected to hit Tamil Nadu markets. Till then, the good prices for small onions will continue to bring cheer to onion farmers in Tamil Nadu during the current season.
The TN-IAM Project funded Price Forecasting Scheme of the Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, TNAU analyzed the historical prices that prevailed in the Dindigul market for small onions in the past 20 years. As per the results of the time series analysis, the farmgate prices of good quality small onions till the end of June would be around Rs.45 per kg and subsequent price fluctuation would be subjected to the arrival from Karnataka and anticipated export demand. Hence, the farmers have been advised to take selling decisions accordingly.
For Marketing details, contact:
Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell
Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS)
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore - 641 003.
Phone: 0422-2431405
For Technical Details, contact:
Professor and Head
Department of Vegetable crops
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore-641003
Phone: 0422-6611374, 6611283