India, May 20 -- Onion prices have plummeted sharply in both wholesale and retail markets across Maharashtra, bringing relief to households but leaving farmers in distress. A bumper harvest this year has led to an oversupply, far outstripping demand and driving prices down to a fraction of what they were just months ago.

In Vashi's Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), which supplies onions to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), wholesale prices have dropped from Rs.35- Rs.40 per kg in February to just Rs.7- Rs.13 per kg in May. Retail prices have followed suit, falling from Rs.45 per kg to about Rs.25- Rs.30 per kg, with some local markets offering them for even less.

According to traders, prices may continue to slide further...