Onion Prices Rise Again in Odisha, Retail Rates Touch ₹70 Per Kg
Bhubaneswar, September 7, 2026: Onion prices have once again started climbing in Odisha, putting fresh pressure on household budgets. In the state capital, the retail price of onion has increased by ₹5 per kg to around ₹60, while some shops are reportedly selling the essential kitchen staple for as much as ₹70 per kg.
The sharp rise has triggered concern among consumers, particularly as the gap between wholesale and retail prices has widened significantly. At the Kuberpuri wholesale market, onion was earlier being sold at around ₹20–₹22 per kg, but the wholesale price has now increased to ₹38–₹42 per kg.
Wholesale-Retail Price Gap Widens
Despite the prevailing wholesale rates, consumers are paying considerably more in retail markets. According to traders and market observers, retail onion prices should ideally remain below ₹50 per kg based on current wholesale prices. However, prices of ₹60 and even ₹70 per kg have been reported at different retail outlets.
The difference between wholesale and retail prices has reached nearly ₹28 per kg in some cases, adding to consumer concerns over price control and market regulation.
Bengaluru Onion Supply May Bring Relief
Kuberpuri Traders’ Association secretary Shaktishankar Mishra said onion prices could decline if supplies from Bengaluru increase. However, he said onions in Bengaluru have reportedly suffered damage, reducing the possibility of adequate supplies reaching the Odisha market.
If supplies from Bengaluru remain limited, consumers could continue facing high onion prices for several months, potentially extending until December, he said.
Onion Prices Rising Across India
The price rise is not confined to Bhubaneswar or Odisha. Onion prices have increased in several parts of the country.
The Union government has been releasing onions from its buffer stock through NAFED and NCCF at a subsidised rate of ₹35 per kg. Around 4,000 tonnes of onions had reportedly been sold at subsidised rates across 17 cities.
The government has also transported onions to major cities such as Delhi and Chennai through the Kanda Express initiative. Despite these measures, consumers have yet to receive significant relief from rising retail prices.
National Average Onion Price Also Rises
According to data from the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry cited in the report, the average retail price of onion across India increased from ₹48.50 per kg to ₹50.79 per kg.
On September 5, onion was reportedly selling at around ₹58 per kg in Delhi, ₹53 in Mumbai, ₹63 in Chennai and ₹40 in Ranchi. The average wholesale price stood at approximately ₹42.79 per kg.
Consumers Demand Immediate Action
The continued increase in onion prices has raised concerns among consumers, who are seeking stronger intervention from the government and administration to check excessive retail margins and ensure adequate supply.
With onion being a daily-use essential commodity, sustained price increases could further increase household expenses, particularly for lower- and middle-income families.
The latest price trend has renewed calls for effective market monitoring, improved supply chains and timely release of buffer stocks to prevent further escalation.
