Few foods in India are consumed in larger quantities than the onion. It’s a crucial ingredient in most traditional dishes, and at a high rate of production is one of the cheapest foods you can buy. Until recently. The price of a kilo of onions (about 4-5 onions) has soared. Last year, the price of a single kilo rose 278 percent. In any country, a hike that dramatic would lead to a government inquiry. In India, where 269 million people live on less than 60 cents a day, the spike is debilitating.

It’s hard to know exactly what caused it. The country’s booming demand has roiled the food market, but everyone knew that was coming. Unpredictable climate fluctuations are never