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Informist, Monday, Apr. 6, 2026

 

--Official: Govt to begin procuring onion from this month 

 

By Pallavi Singhal

NEW DELHI – The government will begin procuring onions for its buffer stock from April, a senior government official told Informist. This would mark an earlier-than-usual start for the 2026-27 (Apr–Mar) marketing year, aimed at ensuring timely market intervention amid the peak arrival season of rabi onions. 

 

The government has set a target to procure 200,000 tonnes of onions under the Price Stabilisation Fund, Informist reported last week. The decision was taken by the Committee of Ministers reviewing prices and availability of essential commodities, the Department of Consumer Affairs said.

 

The procurement will be carried out by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd., with each agency procuring 100,000 tonnes. Both agencies have been directed to begin preparations immediately, sourcing from the ongoing rabi crop.

 

The onion buffer is maintained under the Price Stabilisation Fund to enable timely market intervention and curb price volatility, especially during the lean supply period between September and November. Procurement strategy has varied in recent years in response to supply conditions and price trends.

 

In 2024-25, the government had procured 470,000 tonnes of onion for its buffer stock and began releasing stocks from early September to cool prices. In contrast, procurement was reduced to 300,000 tonnes in the following year amid relatively comfortable supplies.

 

Last year, procurement operations had started only in July — nearly two months behind schedule — due to operational challenges faced by the agencies. India produces around 28–30 million tonnes of onions annually and is among the world's largest producers of the crop. The rabi crop accounts for nearly 75% of the country's total onion output.  End

 

 

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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