Onion prices in India have more than doubled in the past week due to a shortage caused by unusually heavy rain in growing areas, adding to the risk of voter anger about the high cost of food.
Discontent about food price inflation is another headache for a coalition government struggling with a slew of corruption allegations and an emboldened opposition.
The agriculture ministry on Monday banned exports of the staple food until Jan. 15, and will import onions from neighbouring Pakistan as prices jumped to 80 Rs (USD 1.77) per kg from 35 Rs per kg last week, local media reported.
"The situation will be normal in two to three weeks. Onion prices rose because of rains in Nasik and other onion growing areas," Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told reporters on Tuesday. "The ban on onion exports should help reduce the prices."
Onions are base ingredients for almost all Indian dishes. Soaring onion prices have helped dislodge Indian state governments in the past, and rising food costs often spark street protests.
Food price inflation has retreated over the past three months, but at a high 9.5% is a worry for the ruling Congress party ahead of state elections next year.
On Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told his party that inflation "remains a cause for serious concern in our country".
Officials were considering opening special outlets to sell onions at wholesale rates as the government looks for ways to lower prices, the Press Trust of India reported on Monday.
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