As there was no scope for increase in price of good quality small onion (shallot) and likely to prevail around Rs 21 to Rs 23 per kg till June, the farmers are advised to take appropriate decision on sale by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).

The Price Forecasting Scheme of Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies in TNAU has analyzed the farm gate prices of small onion that prevailed during the last 13 years in Dindigul market, which revealed that the prices will prevail around Rs.21 to Rs.23 during May to June.

With favourable rainfall and normal production of shallots, arrivals from major production centres will provide no scope for price increase. However, based on the likely onset of summer showers, and the demand for seed onion, the prices may firm up, the analysis said.

Shallots, originated from Central and South East Asia, are used as one of the regular vegetable ingredient in food preparation of South Indian cuisine and major small onion growing states are Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

In Tamil Nadu, major shallot producing districts are Dindigul, Tiruppur, Perambalur, Tiruchirapalli, Namakkal, Theni and Madurai.

Most of the production of small onion is domestically consumed and the arrivals from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh facilitate domestic demand as well as export demand.