The price of onions has doubled in the city’s retail markets within a fortnight due to supply constraints.

The bulb, which is mostly sourced from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and Nasik in Maharastra, is selling for Rs 50 a kg in the city.

“Due to incessant rain the onion crops at Nasik and in South India have been damaged. This has led to sharp spike in the prices of both varieties since early October,” agri commodity analyst Sibu Malakar told PTI over phone.

He said onion prices may rise further but will stay restricted unless there are more damages by rain to onion crops in Maharastra and South Indian onions.

The price will tend to ease from November 15 onwards as the new onion crop from Nasik will begin arriving in the city’s wholesale markets.

Currently, Nasik (old crop) onion in wholesale market is Rs 1200 per 40 kg bag and the price of new onions from South India is hovering at Rs 1500 for the same quantity, he said.

The supply has shrunk to 18-20 trucks a day in city’s wholesale markets, down from 28-32 trucks in normal circumstances, he added.

Market sources said despite rise in price of onion there had been no reduction in export quantity.

“Now, onions are being exported to Bangladesh only from Ghosadanga checkpost in North 24 Parganas district with restriction of 75 trucks and There has been no recent curtailment in exports by the government,” an exporter said.