Bhubaneswar: Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has attributed the surge in onion prices to high rates in major producing regions.He stated “Onion prices are high even in Nashik, with rates reaching Rs 45 per kilogram. Since Odisha doesn’t produce onions domestically, we rely on imports. Efforts are being made to sell onions at Rs 30 per kilogram through NAFED.”As per reports, Odisha has witnessed a sharp increase in onion prices, with rates rising by Rs 30 per kilogram within 15 days. The wholesale market price currently stands at Rs 70 per kilogram. Despite low demand during the Kartik month, the sudden price hike has caught consumers off guard.Moreover, the state’s reliance on imports exacerbates the issue.Odisha consumes approximately 5 lakh metric tons of onions annually, but local production meets only a fraction of this demand. The state produces around 60,000 tons annually, primarily in Titlagarh and Angul districts.To meet demand, Odisha relies on neighbouring states Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, with 20 trucks arriving daily. Cuttack’s Chhatrabazaar alone receives 5 trucks, translating to 80-100 tons daily.Currently, onion prices in Odisha range from Rs 40 to Rs 65 per kilogram, depending on the market. The average market price is Rs 53.9 per kilogram, with the highest price recorded at Rs 65 per kilogram in Kamakhyanagar and Hindol, and the lowest price at Rs 40 per kilogram in Balugaon.