- The central government launched the 'Kanda Express' special trains on August 24, 2026, to transport onions from Nashik to major consumption centers including Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, and Guwahati.
- By August 22, 2026, the national average retail price of onions rose to ₹42 per kg, which is 45% higher than a year ago and 19% higher than a month earlier.
- On August 22, 2026, Delhi recorded onion prices of ₹65 per kg, while Chennai recorded ₹58 per kg.
- In May 2026, the government revised the procurement price of onions to ₹2,645 per quintal from ₹1,270 per quintal to speed up stock collection.
- In July 2026, the government raised the procurement price from ₹1,875 to ₹2,125 per quintal, marking a 13% increase.
- The government is also considering releasing onions from its buffer stock to bring down retail prices.
The Indian government has initiated the 'Kanda Express' onion trains to alleviate rising onion prices, which have surged 19% in just one month. As of August 22, 2026, the national average retail price of onions reached ₹42 per kg, marking a 45% increase from the previous year.1234
The 'Kanda Express' service, launched on August 24, 2026, transports onions from Nashik, Maharashtra, to major consumption centers including Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, and Guwahati. Reports indicate that onion prices in Delhi have soared to ₹65 per kg, while Chennai's prices are around ₹58 per kg.56
In response to the price surge, the government is also considering releasing onions from its buffer stock to stabilize the market. The procurement price for onions was raised from ₹1,875 to ₹2,125 per quintal in July 2026, a 13% increase aimed at providing better returns for farmers.78910
Trade sources have reported a 5% to 7% decline in Maharashtra's kharif onion output due to delayed monsoons, while the Agriculture Ministry projects a production of 30.73 million tonnes for 2025-26. The Kanda Express is part of a broader strategy to manage seasonal price fluctuations, similar to a model used in October 2024.
“The national average retail price hit ₹42 per kg on August 22, 45% higher than a year ago, with Delhi and Chennai seeing ₹65 and ₹58 per kg respectively. The government is also considering releasing buffer stock, and NAFED has procured about 1.2 lakh tonnes this fiscal year.”
GK Today
