PUNE, May 29 -- Pre-monsoon showers have damaged onion, tomato and several fruit crops across Maharashtra, especially in major producing regions like Nashik, leading to fears of a spike in onion prices in the coming days. While prices of essential vegetables, including onion, tomato and leafy greens, are rising in retail markets, fruit prices are falling due to lower demand and a supply glut. Lata Bhamre, a farmer from Satana in Nashik district, said, "We had planned to harvest onions in the last week of May due to labour shortages. But the sudden rain caught us off guard. Nearly 60% of my crop is lost." Rupesh Sawant, another farmer from Nashik, said his stored onions were also damaged. "I didn't expect rain in May. Due to the high humidity and the early heat, around 20-25% of the stored onions have rotted. This is the condition of most farmers in the district. Wholesale market prices, which are now between Rs.1,500 and Rs.1,800 per quintal, could cross Rs.3,000 soon." Jaydev Holkar, director of Lasalgaon and Vashi APMC, confirmed the widespread damage. "It's true that there have been huge losses in Nashik and other onion-producing areas. Prices will increase. But we request media and the government not to panic. Whenever there's a mention of rising prices, government rushes to ban exports. We appeal to the government not to impose a ban even if prices rise." Meanwhile, traders have reported losses in fruit sales. Karan Jadhav, a trader at Pune APMC, said the mango season, already in its last leg, has been badly hit. "One of my trader friends had bought mangoes at Rs.2,800 per box, hoping for high demand in the final stretch. But the rain caused them to ripen early. Now, he's ready to sell at Rs.800 per box, but there are no buyers. The fruit is so overripe that it can't even be sold for pulp."Jadhav added that reports from Solapur, Ahilyanagar and other regions indicate damage to banana, papaya, guava, and litchi crops....