The retail prices of onions remained higher at up to Rs. 150 per kg on Friday. Meanwhile, the imported supplies have started arriving to boost domestic availability and check prices. In metros, retail price of onion was ruling at Rs 120 /kg Kolkata, at Rs 102/kg in Delhi and Mumbai and at Rs 80/kg in Chennai, as per the data maintained by the consumer affairs ministry.In most cities, onion prices were ruling at Rs 100/kg. In Itanagar, the bulb crop was at Rs 150/kg.

"Imported onions have started arriving. About 1,160 tonne has reached India. Additional 10,560 tonne of shipments are expected to arrive in the next 3-4 days," a senior ministry official told

From where Indian is importing onions?

Both red and yellow onions have been imported from Turkey,Egypt and Afghanistan. The shipments are landing at Mumbai port. India is currently importing onions from Afghanistan through Wagah border. Even though there is ample availability of the vegetable, limited handling capacity is curtailing the process.

State-owned MMTC, which is importing the key kitchen stapleon behalf of the government, has contracted 49,500 tonne of onion so far. Some shipments will arrive next month.