Bhubaneswar, Aug. 14: The Odisha government today said the onion prices would fall in a day or two, a week after it expressed helplessness to contain the tuber prices from shooting up.

Odisha food supplies and consumer welfare minister Sujya Narayan Patro today said 25 truckloads of onion were being procured from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh (10 trucks from Maharashtra and 15 from Andhra Pradesh).

"These trucks were expected to reach the state tomorrow. The onion price is expected to come down after the trucks' arrival," he said.

The tuber is now selling at Rs 30 per kg in the retail market as the state is experiencing scarcity of onion.

"The price is expected to remain within Rs 20 to Rs 22 per kg after the onion stock arrives," said the minister, adding that the traders were asked keep the price within that bracket.

Patro said he had directed the departmental officials to keep a close watch on the prices and conduct raids on hoarders. "Stringent action will be taken against any trader who is found hoarding the essential commodity," he warned.

The state produces only one fourth of its onion requirement and produce from the state has already been exhausted. Odisha is now banking upon other states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.