Kottayam: Kerala is going to bring more onions in order to control the price hike. Various government agencies have ordered 1800 tonnes of onion for Supplyco, Horticorp and Consumerfed. The retail price of onion touched Rs 120, but the load is likely to reach the state after November 1 only.

The market condition was evaluated under the leadership of the chief minister on Monday. Currently, only Horticorp intervened in the market. They brought 25 loads of onion and reduced the price to Rs 45 per kilogram. MD J Sajeev said that 75 more tonnes of onion will be brought by Wednesday.

Supplyco ordered for 1000 tonnes of onion, Consumerfed for 300 tonnes and Horticorp for 500 tonnes in total from the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED). The price hike resulted from crop loss due to heavy rain in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.

NAFED authorities hinted that onion price is likely to drop within 10 days. They are trying to bring more goods from abroad. Other agencies buy onion for Rs 35 per kilogram from NAFED. On an average, 80 trucks carrying onion are reaching Kerala every day. Average use of onion in Kerala is 5340 tonnes per week.

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture V S Sunil Kumar said that the government will try to make all produce available at fair price. Onion is brought from NAFED. Supplyco, Consumerfed and Horticorp have ordered 1800 tonnes of onion. If necessary, 5000 tonnes will be delivered, he added.