Onion Price Today August 23, 2026: Household budgets are facing another challenge ahead of the festive season as onion prices have risen sharply across several parts of India. Retail rates have climbed to around ₹50–₹60 per kg in several major cities, while wholesale prices have also registered a steep increase.
The average retail price of onions has moved above ₹40 per kg. According to the figures cited in the report, the average price stood at around ₹40.79 per kg on August 21, compared with ₹34.87 per kg a month earlier.
This represents an increase of roughly 17% in just one month. Compared with ₹28.72 per kg on August 21, 2025, the average retail price has risen by more than 40% over the past year.
Onion Prices Rise Sharply in Major Cities
Consumers in metropolitan cities are paying considerably more than the national average. Depending on quality, location and local supply, onions are selling for around ₹45 to ₹60 per kg in several markets.
Bhubaneswar has reportedly witnessed an especially sharp increase. Prices that were earlier around ₹25–₹30 per kg have reportedly climbed to approximately ₹55–₹60 per kg.
Retailers have indicated that the increase happened rapidly, putting additional pressure on household grocery expenses.
Onion Price Today in Major Cities
Here are the indicative retail onion prices mentioned for some major cities:
| City | Onion Price Per Kg |
|---|---|
| Delhi-NCR | ₹50–₹55 |
| Mumbai | ₹52–₹58 |
| Kolkata | ₹55–₹60 |
| Chennai | ₹48–₹54 |
| Bengaluru | ₹45–₹52 |
| Patna | ₹48–₹55 |
| Bhubaneswar | ₹55–₹60 |
These are indicative retail prices and actual rates may vary depending on the market, locality, quality and variety of onions.
Wholesale Onion Prices Also Move Higher
The price increase is not limited to neighbourhood vegetable markets. Wholesale mandis have also witnessed a significant jump.
At Lasalgaon in Maharashtra, one of India's most important onion trading centres, wholesale prices reportedly increased by around 30% to 42% within a week.
Wholesale onion prices at Lasalgaon have reached approximately ₹3,195–₹3,600 per quintal, equivalent to roughly ₹32–₹36 per kg.
Changes in wholesale prices are important because they can eventually affect the amount consumers pay at retail markets after transportation, handling and retailer margins are added.
Delhi's Azadpur Mandi Also Sees Higher Prices
Prices have also remained elevated at Delhi's Azadpur wholesale market. According to the report, good-quality onions have been trading at around ₹45–₹50 per kg or higher in some cases.
As wholesale rates increase, retailers generally have less room to keep consumer prices unchanged. This can lead to higher prices at vegetable markets and neighbourhood stores.
However, onion prices can differ substantially even within the same city depending on quality, size and sourcing.
Why Are Onion Prices Increasing?
One of the major factors behind the recent increase is a delay in the arrival of the new kharif onion crop.
Delayed sowing has reportedly affected the timing of fresh supplies reaching wholesale markets. When new crop arrivals are slower than expected, the market becomes more dependent on existing stocks.
At the same time, demand tends to strengthen around the festive season. The combination of limited supply and stronger demand can push wholesale as well as retail prices higher.
Transportation costs, weather conditions and the quality of stored onions can also influence local market prices.
Prices Have Risen More Than 40% in a Year
The year-on-year comparison highlights how significantly onion prices have changed.
On August 21, 2025, the average retail price was reported at ₹28.72 per kg. By August 21, 2026, it had increased to ₹40.79 per kg.
That translates into a rise of about 42% over the year.
For a household purchasing several kilograms every month, even a ₹10–₹15 increase per kg can noticeably affect the monthly grocery budget.
Government May Release Onion From Buffer Stock
The government maintains buffer stocks of onions that can be released when market prices rise sharply.
According to the report, authorities are considering releasing onions from buffer stocks into markets from September. Increasing supply through such intervention could potentially help moderate prices, particularly in areas experiencing sharper increases.
The eventual impact, however, would depend on the quantity released, distribution across markets and fresh crop arrivals.
Will Onion Prices Come Down Soon?
The direction of onion prices over the coming weeks will largely depend on supply.
If arrivals of the new kharif crop improve and additional stocks reach major consumption centres, some pressure on prices could ease. Government intervention through buffer-stock releases could also increase availability.
Until supplies improve, however, consumers in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Patna may continue to face elevated prices.
With onions already touching ₹55–₹60 per kg in some markets, consumers and traders will now be watching fresh crop arrivals closely to see whether prices stabilise before the peak festive season.
