Onion powder prices in the first half of 2025 reflected the volatility in raw onion markets, moving between extended lows and sudden rebounds. At the start of the year, a surge in onion production in key growing regions led to abundant arrivals in wholesale markets. This period encouraged steady production of powder for both domestic use and export, as processors secured supplies at favourable rates.
However, the decline in farmgate prices placed pressure on growers, many of whom released stored stock to avoid spoilage. The oversupply not only weighed on fresh onion markets but also temporarily drove down onion powder values, as processors faced minimal competition for raw material. Export duty adjustments on onions were expected to aid trade, but delays limited their effect, leaving some processors with more inventory than anticipated.
By mid-year, unseasonal rains disrupted standing crops and started affecting arrivals, triggering a reversal in pricing. Raw onion rates climbed noticeably, and this shift passed through to onion powder. While inventories from earlier procurement softened the impact initially, continued weather disruptions tightened availability.
Demand for onion powder remained steady in both domestic food processing and export channels, but supply-side pressures shaped market dynamics. The balance between low-cost inventory and higher-priced fresh procurement defined pricing trends through the period.