Consumer Affairs Ministry has said that the prices of onion have risen due to speculation and unscrupulous trade activities. <br/><br/>The Ministry stated that estimate production of onion for 2016-17 is higher at 217.2 lakh tonnes compared to earlier forecast of 215 lakh tonnes. <br/><br/>The Ministry said, to discourage speculative and unscrupulous trade activities, it has empowered states to impose stock limit on onion. <br/><br/>It said, the departments of consumer affairs and commerce recently held meeting with traders and importers to review onion price and availability situation. <br/><br/>The Ministry said, it will regularly review the price situation and facilitate imports by private traders to help moderate speculation in the market if prices go up unreasonably.