The central government has launched retail sales of onions at ₹24 per kilogram to provide relief to consumers and keep prices under control. Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, flagged off the initiative today through mobile vans of NCCF, NAFED, and Kendriya Bhandar.
Minister Joshi stated that the government’s foremost goal is to curb food inflation. Recent price stabilization measures have already led to a significant decline in food inflation, which dropped to 1.55% in July 2025—the lowest in the past eight years. He emphasized that regulated and phased release of onions from buffer stock is a crucial part of this effort.
The initiative has already started in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad, where onions are being sold through stalls and mobile vans of NCCF, NAFED, and Kendriya Bhandar. Gradually, this network will be expanded across the country. The government is monitoring prices of 38 essential commodities daily through 574 centers, and onion supply locations will be decided based on this data.
This year, onion production is estimated at 30.77 million tonnes, nearly 27% higher than last year. There are no restrictions on onion exports, with 1.06 lakh tonnes exported in July and 1.09 lakh tonnes in August 2025. To stabilize prices, the government has procured 3 lakh tonnes of onions through NCCF and NAFED, directly purchasing from farmers and farmer organizations in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Payments are being made directly into farmers’ bank accounts.
To maintain transparency, farmers’ land records were verified through the e-Mahabhumi portal. Department officials are regularly inspecting warehouses to ensure strict quality and quantity checks.
Digital Billing for Retail Sales: For the first time, NAFED has introduced a digital billing application for retail sales. This mobile app enables van operators to issue bills directly, verify buyers’ identity via Aadhaar/SMS, and provide transaction details to customers. It also includes a toll-free helpline for customer feedback and grievance redressal.
