Onion Price Today (प्याज का भाव): Live Mandi Rates and Trends
The onion price today depends on which mandi you ask, which grade you buy and which crop is arriving. In Nashik’s Lasalgaon market, one of the benchmark onion markets in India, prices eased in autumn 2026 as the new kharif crop reached the yards. This guide explains how to read onion mandi rates, why wholesale and retail prices differ, and what moves the market from week to week.
It also shows a dated live snapshot from the data feed behind our Mandi Bhav Today page, so you can compare the national picture with the rate in your own market.
Quick answer: On 21 October 2026, the median modal onion price across the 500 entries in The Harvest’s live Agmarknet feed was ₹5,500 per quintal, with most markets between ₹4,500 and ₹7,200. That equals about ₹55 per kg wholesale. Retail prices run higher because of transport, handling and spoilage losses.
Key takeaways
- Onion prices are quoted per quintal (100 kg) in mandis. Divide by 100 to get the price per kg.
- A new kharif crop from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh began arriving at the end of August 2026 and has pulled prices lower, according to trade reports in early October.
- Retail onion prices fall more slowly than wholesale prices, because 20 to 30 percent of retail onions can spoil and that loss is built into the price.
- Traders expected the market to stay volatile until Diwali, with a clearer direction once the new summer crop arrives.
सारांश (हिंदी): मंडी में प्याज का भाव प्रति क्विंटल बताया जाता है। 21 अक्टूबर 2026 को द हार्वेस्ट के लाइव डेटा में 500 प्रविष्टियों की मध्यिका ₹5,500 प्रति क्विंटल रही, यानी लगभग ₹55 प्रति किलो थोक भाव। नई खरीफ फसल आने से भाव नरम हुए हैं। रिटेल भाव थोक से ऊपर रहते हैं।
Onion price today: a dated mandi snapshot
Mandi data changes daily, so every figure needs a date. The table below comes from the same official data feed that powers our Mandi Bhav Today page. It uses the median of reported modal prices, which reduces the effect of a few unusually high or low entries.
| Measure | Value on 21 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Entries in the feed (latest 500) | 500 |
| Median modal price | ₹5,500 per quintal |
| Typical range (25th to 75th percentile) | ₹4,500 to ₹7,200 per quintal |
| Same median per kg | About ₹55 per kg |
This is a national snapshot and not your local rate. Open the live page, filter by onion and your state, and you will see the mandis near you. Not every market reports every day, and the figure is not an official rate.
Onion price today at Lasalgaon: the early October picture
Trade reports from 6 October 2026 said that good-quality onions at Lasalgaon APMC in Nashik had softened from the previous month, with about 6,000 quintals arriving daily. Karnataka markets traded lower for ordinary quality. Reports also noted that retail prices in cities had fallen much more slowly than wholesale prices.
Why the onion price today changes so often
Onions are bulky, perishable and grown in a few regions, so small changes in supply move prices quickly. Five forces matter most.
| Driver | How it moves the price |
|---|---|
| New crop arrivals | Fresh kharif onions from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in autumn push down demand for stored Nashik onions |
| Stored onion release | Growers holding stock may sell if they expect prices to fall further, which adds supply |
| Weather | Excess rain damages standing crops and stored onions, while dry spells cut yields |
| Export demand | Overseas buyers prefer the freshest crop and the best size and colour |
| Imports and policy | Imports, export duties and stock rules can change supply quickly |
Three onion seasons in India
India grows onions in three seasons, which is why supply rarely stops completely. Understanding them helps you predict price pressure.
- Kharif onion: Sown in June and July and harvested from about October. It is perishable and is sold quickly.
- Late kharif onion: Planted in September and October and harvested in about January to March.
- Rabi onion: Planted in about December and January and harvested in about March to May. It stores well and supplies the market for months.
Rabi onion forms the largest share of the national crop, and stored rabi stock keeps prices stable until the next harvest arrives. Exact months differ by state, so treat this as a general pattern.
Wholesale price vs retail price of onions
Many buyers ask why the mandi rate is ₹55 per kg while the shop charges more. The gap is not only profit. It pays for real costs.
| Cost step | Why it adds to the price |
|---|---|
| Transport | Moving onions from Nashik or Karnataka to a distant city costs money per tonne |
| Commission and handling | Mandi fees, loading, unloading and sorting |
| Spoilage | 20 to 30 percent of onions bought for retail can deteriorate, and sellers price that loss in |
| Grading | Larger, clean, well-coloured onions earn a premium over mixed lots |
| Local margin | Small shops carry rent and wastage that wholesale buyers do not |
How to read the onion price today in a mandi
A mandi rate has three numbers. Reading them correctly prevents bad decisions, especially for farmers deciding when to sell.
- Minimum price: The lowest trade of the day, often for poor quality or small lots.
- Maximum price: The highest trade, usually for the best grade.
- Modal price: The price at which most of the trade took place. This is the best guide for a typical lot.
Our guide to mandi bhav explained goes deeper on these terms and on why two nearby mandis can show different prices on the same day.
Tips for farmers who sell onions
- Compare at least three nearby mandis before you load the truck. A higher price 60 km away may disappear after transport cost.
- Grade and dry your onions. Clean, uniform, well-cured bulbs fetch more.
- Avoid selling everything on the first week of a new-crop surge, if your storage allows a safe wait.
- Do not store damaged onions with good ones. Rot spreads quickly.
- Watch arrivals in the big markets. Falling arrivals often signal firmer prices.
Tips for buyers and traders
- Buy by weight and inspect the bulbs for soft spots and sprouting.
- Do not stock too much when new-crop arrivals are rising, since prices may keep easing.
- Check wholesale mandi data before you accept a retail quote that seems very high.
Common mistakes when reading the onion price today
- Comparing a Lasalgaon price for good quality with a Karnataka price for ordinary quality, as if they were the same product.
- Using an old rate. A rate from last week may be wrong today.
- Reading only the maximum price, which shows the best lot and not the typical one.
- Forgetting that mandi rates are per quintal and shop rates are per kg.
Onion price today: what to watch next
For the next few weeks, three signals will guide the market. First, watch daily arrivals at Lasalgaon and in Karnataka. Second, watch the weather, since late rain can damage the late-kharif crop. Third, watch festival demand around Diwali, which often lifts buying for a short period.
Bookmark Mandi Bhav Today for live rates, and use the crop calendar to see when each onion crop is sown and harvested. For wider price context, read wheat rate today, browse the Mandi Bhav News & Analysis section, or return to the Harvest homepage.
Data note: the 21 October 2026 snapshot comes from the Agmarknet data feed on data.gov.in, using the latest 500 entries, and is not an official rate. Lasalgaon and arrival details come from trade reports dated early October 2026. Prices change daily. The Harvest is an independent information website and is not affiliated with any government body.
Onion price today: frequently asked questions
What is the onion price today in India?
On 21 October 2026 the median modal price across the latest 500 entries in The Harvest's live Agmarknet feed was ₹5,500 per quintal, about ₹55 per kg, with most markets between ₹4,500 and ₹7,200. Check Mandi Bhav Today for the current rate.
Why is the onion price different in each mandi?
Rates differ by quality, size, variety, local arrivals, demand, transport cost and the day of trade. Good Nashik onions and ordinary Karnataka onions can trade at very different prices on the same day.
Why is the retail onion price higher than the mandi price?
Retail prices include transport, commission, handling and spoilage. Trade reports say 20 to 30 percent of onions bought for retail can deteriorate, and sellers build that loss into the price.
Which market sets the benchmark for onion prices?
Lasalgaon in Nashik, Maharashtra, is widely followed as a benchmark market for onions. Traders also watch Pimpalgaon and markets in Karnataka.
What is the difference between kharif and rabi onion?
Kharif onion is sown in June and July and harvested from about October, and it does not store well. Rabi onion is harvested in about March to May and stores for months, so it supplies the market through the year.
Is onion price quoted per kg or per quintal in mandis?
Mandi prices are quoted per quintal, which is 100 kg. Divide by 100 to get the price per kg. ₹5,500 per quintal is ₹55 per kg.
What affects onion prices the most?
New crop arrivals, stored stock release, weather, export demand, imports and government policy all move prices. Rain damage and late harvests can push prices up quickly.
