Now, onion prices can also make you cry

PANAJI: Onions were selling at 36 a kg on Wednesday at Panaji market, up from 30 just days earlier.
"Onion prices have gone up because of heavy rains in Nasik and Belgaum where the crop has failed, leading to a shortage in supply," a Panaji market grocer said.
While prices have shot up, some vendors who had purchased stock at cheaper rates were selling onions at a lesser price."The prices at which the wholesale market sells us onions have gone up. I will sell onions at 30 a kg only until my current stock gets over."
There are chances that the price may still rise further. A vegetable vendor said onions may become dearer during the next few weeks. "I am selling onions at 35 a kg, but they may go up further," he said.
Onions are a common ingredient in Goan and India food for the common man and the elite.
With the prices of vegetables, especially tomato and ginger causing much anguish in the last few days, the shortage of onions is likely to be another irritant for shoppers and housewives.
Caranzalem resident Vinita Keshkamat said a difference of 10 would not make much of a difference as their small family consumes limited quantities. "But it will certainly pinch middle class families," she added.
Housewives have taken to reducing the quantity of onions in their food. "I will minimize the use of onions in my daily preparations. We buy quality onions from the open market and we have no choice," Agasaim resident Cristina Esteves said.
Coming to their aid is the Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd, whose managing director Orlando Rodrigues said, "At our kiosks, we sell onions at a subsidized rate, which is Rs 29 a kg and we won't be changing the price. The onions we get are from Nasik and are only loaded at Belgaum because of the climate there."
Owners of eateries and restaurants appeared to put up a brave face, claiming they will not revise their rates for customers. Panaji restaurant owner Suraj Shetty said, "Usually prices come down in a week but we haven't taken any dish off the menu. I have advised my staff to cut down on wastage and avoid excessive use of onions. In salads, we are using more cabbage and capsicum now."
Kailash Yadav, who runs a kiosk selling frankies and chicken bread at Caranzalem said, "The curry we use for chicken bread and franky is made of onions. With boneless chicken at 300 a kg, the onion prices will definitely affect my costing. As we can't compromise on the quality of curry there is nothing we can do, but bear the losses."
Many other small restaurants known for their onion bhajias, samosas and batata vadas have not altered their menu or substituted onions with other ingredients. Most of them believe, the prices will be down by a week and there is nothing they can do about it now.
A small portion of sliced onions is an integral part of the usal bhaji served in most restaurants. The hike in onion prices won't affect the much devoured side dish, as restaurateurs are unwilling to give in to the leap in prices.
Fruit prices too have soared, the reason being the month of Ramadan, when fruits form an essential part of the diet of Muslims who observe a fast. It's been almost seven days since fruit prices have gone up. A fruit vendor at the Panaji market said, "The price hike is seasonal and happens every year during Ramadan."