TNAU's price forecast for small onions

Coimbatore: The TN-IAM Project-funded Price Forecasting Scheme of the Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore has developed market advisory for small onion.

Small onion is mainly grown in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Karnataka is the major competitor for Tamil Nadu in the cultivation and trade of small onions. According to the Department of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu produced 3.80 lakh tonnes of small onions in 0.51 lakh ha during 2020-2022. In Tamil Nadu, small onions are cultivated in more than 80 percent of the total onion area and the remaining area is for the Bellary onion. Major small onion-producing districts in Tamil Nadu are Dindigul, Tiruppur, Perambalur, Trichy and Namakkal.

At present, small onions from Rasipuram, Thuraiyur, Sathyamangalam and Triuppur are arriving at Coimbatore markets. According to trade sources, monsoon and associated crop damage in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has reduced the market arrivals of small onions. Hence, the price of small onion has increased in the recent period. The prices are expected to fall during February-March’2023 after the harvest of current crop as well as commencement of arrivals from Karnataka.

The Price Forecasting Scheme has analyzed the past 23 year historical prices that prevailed in Dindigul market for small onions. As per the results of the time series analysis, the farm gate prices of good quality small onions during February to March’2023 will be about Rs.35-40 per kg. Hence, the farmers are advised to take sowing decisions accordingly.

Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell

Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore – 641 003

Phone: 0422-2431405

The Director and TN-IAMP Nodal Officer

Water Technology Centre

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore - 641 003

Phone: 0422-6611278

Professor and Head

Department of Vegetable crops

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Coimbatore-641003

Phone: 0422-6611374