The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has significantly expanded its onion distribution initiative under the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) to strengthen availability and ensure affordable prices ahead of the festive season. The first-ever Kanda Express movement to Agartala, Tripura is carrying approximately 440 MT of buffer onions and is expected to reach its destination by 18 September 2026. This intervention will enhance market coverage across seven of Tripura's eight districts: Dhalai, South Tripura, Khowai, Unakoti, West Tripura, Gomati, and Sepahijala.
So far, the government has dispatched over 2,800 MT of buffer onions across the North-East through multiple channels. This includes two Kanda Express rail rakes carrying 840 MT and 452 MT respectively (totaling 1,292 MT), plus 44 truck consignments carrying 1,513.46 MT. The distribution has covered key locations in Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland, including Kamrup, Guwahati, Gomati, Dimapur, Sepahijala, Kohima, Niuland, and Chumoukedima.
The calibrated releases from the onion buffer are showing measurable impact on prices. With fresh Kharif arrivals gathering pace, onion mandi prices have moderated across major markets. The All-India average mandi price declined from a peak of approximately ₹3,600 per quintal in September to around ₹3,300 per quintal in October. At the retail level, 211 cities have reported price declines of ₹1–₹13 per kg over the past two weeks, with moderation observed across major consuming States and Union Territories including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Notably, regional price disparities have narrowed significantly. In Assam, around 12 centres recorded price declines ranging from ₹1 to ₹8 per kg. The disparity between Assam's average retail onion prices and the All-India average has substantially reduced from ₹7.83 per kg two years ago (Assam: ₹61.96/kg vs All-India: ₹54.13/kg) to just ₹1.23 per kg currently (Assam: ₹54.30/kg vs All-India: ₹53.07/kg), indicating improved market integration and distribution efficiency.
The government continues to monitor onion prices, market arrivals, and supply conditions across the country. Disposal of onions from the PSF buffer stock will continue to be guided by prevailing market conditions, price trends, and availability requirements, with further releases undertaken as needed to ensure adequate market availability and moderate undue price volatility.