Onion prices soared to all-time high of Rs 90 per kg in major cities on Tuesday, prompting the government to consider importing the commodity to cool rates.

Blaming traders for creating artificial scarcity, the government said it will restrict onion exports till prices stabilise. An immediate ban was, however, ruled out.

Onion prices in major cities touched Rs 90 today even though wholesale rates were much less at Rs 50-60 a kg. The previous record high of Rs 85 per kg was in 2010.

The kitchen staple costs up to Rs 68 per kg at 500 Mother Dairy outlets in the national capital region, while in Mumbai the prices are between Rs 70-80 a kg. In some pockets in Delhi, price is as high as Rs 90 per kg.

Reports from Chandigarh and Patna said local vendors were selling onion at Rs 80-90 per kg. Concerned over price spike, the Centre asked states to take firm action against hoarders to boost domestic supplies as prices have been high for the last three months.

After discussing the issue with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Food Minister K V Thomas said there is no plan to ban exports. A senior government official, however, said that the Centre is also considering banning overseas shipments, which has fallen sharply after the imposition of minimum export price (MEP) on August 14.

“We have enough onion stock in the country. The state governments must act firmly against hoarders who are hoarding onions which has led to the artificial scarcity and sharp escalation of prices,” Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said.

“We will import onions if it is required or if there is a proposal to stabilise the crisis,” Sharma said. Thomas said: “We are also looking at importing on an urgent basis onions from Egypt, China and Pakistan. Pawar has already instructed Nafed to look into possibility of imports”.

He also attributed the price hike to unseasonal rain in key producing states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.