1. Weekly News

China

Strong Supply and Competitive Freight Costs Drive China’s Onion Export Expansion

China’s onion production is spread across key provinces such as Yunnan, Henan, Shandong, and Gansu, allowing for a nearly continuous supply throughout the year. At present, exports are mainly sourced from Henan, with the peak season running from February to June. Most onion exports are directed to European markets, including the United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, where there is strong demand for value-added products like peeled and frozen onions. These exports are supported by low sea freight rates, currently ranging from USD 1.7 thousand to USD 1.9 thousand per container. Favorable weather and increased cultivation have resulted in high yields and strong product quality, pushing prices to their lowest in recent years.

India

India Launches Onion Procurement Drive to Stabilize Prices

India has initiated onion procurement for the 2025/26 buffer stock under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to curb price volatility during festive seasons. The procurement targets 300 thousand tons and is led by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF). The procurement responds to increased onion production and falling mandi prices, especially in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Major buying will occur in Nashik and surrounding areas, with storage managed by selected Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperative societies under closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance. Current mandi prices in Lasalgaon, Maharashtra, have dropped 36% year-on-year (YoY), ranging between USD 0.12 and USD 0.14 per kilogram (kg). The government aims to purchase onions at market prices to ensure fair compensation for farmers, as Rabi onion production is forecasted at 22.7 million tons, 18% higher than the previous year. With Rabi onions comprising up to 75% of annual output, the buffer stock will help maintain supply until the Kharif harvest in Oct-25. The removal of the 20% export duty on onions also reflects efforts to manage local supply and farmer interests.

Maharashtra Plans Onion Irradiation Centers to Curb Price Volatility

Accounting for 35 to 40% of the country’s onion production, India’s Maharashtra state is expected to introduce a new policy establishing dedicated irradiation centers in major onion-growing districts like Nashik, Pune, Ahmednagar, and Solapur. This aims to extend the shelf life of onions, enabling farmers to store their produce during periods of low prices and sell when market rates improve, thereby minimizing losses caused by export bans or oversupply. This move follows political backlash in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where farmers, frustrated by export restrictions imposed in Dec-23, voted against ruling alliance candidates. Developed by the state’s think tank, Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), the policy is expected to be rolled out within the next two to three months.

Russia

Russia Boosts Onion Imports from Egypt Due to Rising Demand

As of May 11, 2025, Russia had imported 13 thousand metric tons (mt) of onions from Egypt, a 70% YoY increase from 7.6 thousand mt. This surge highlights Russia’s growing dependence on Egyptian onions to meet local demand, driven by its climatic constraints and a broader push to diversify fruit and vegetable imports. The rise in onion shipments also mirrors a wider trend of increased agricultural imports, including a notable jump in potato volumes, and aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen agricultural trade relations between Russia and Egypt.

Philippines

Philippines Projects Sufficient Red Onion Stocks Until Jan-26

The Philippines is expected to have sufficient red onion stocks until January 21, 2026, with total supplies projected to surpass 150 thousand mt by the end of May-25. As reported by the Bureau of Plant Industry, local and imported red onion stocks stood at over 112 thousand mt in early May-25, supplemented by an additional 41.7 thousand mt from ongoing harvests. This strong supply position may result in a second consecutive year of limited red onion imports, following last year’s halt in import authorizations due to a good harvest. However, minor imports were permitted in early 2025 to ease price pressures caused by spoilage in cold storage facilities. As of May 2, red onion stocks in cold storage were sufficient to last until Nov-25, while yellow onion stocks, estimated at nearly 19 thousand mt, could cover demand until September. National onion production in Q1-25 showed a slight YoY increase, and average retail prices in Metro Manila remained stable. Given the country’s single-season onion harvest, the government continues to closely monitor supply levels to prevent shortages and determine future import requirements.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan Boosts Onion Exports Following Strong Yields and Expanded Market Reach

Tajikistan’s Khatlon region has exported over 250 mt of early-season produce, including onions, to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, with onion shipments expected to rise further as the second phase adds another 200 mt. In 2025, onions were cultivated on 9.4 thousand hectares (ha) in Khatlon, with expected yields of up to 40 mt/ha and local prices averaging USD 0.29/kg (TJS 3/kg). Authorities are working to expand market access to South and East Asia, while the Sughd region has stored over 2.1 thousand mt of early onions, mainly sourced from Khatlon. Local efforts to strengthen export capacity include improved storage infrastructure, such as the Mehrobod jamoat facility, which supports current shipments to Russia and anticipates moving 6 thousand mt during May to June, along with 1 thousand mt reserved for winter sales. With nine major storage hubs and exports also reaching Kazakhstan, Sughd reinforces Tajikistan’s growing presence in the regional onion trade.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Onion Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Onion Pricing Important  Exporters (W20 2024 to W20 2025)

Netherlands

Onion prices in the Netherlands dropped by 2.17% week-on-week (WoW) to USD 0.45/kg in W20 due to short-term oversupply pressures and sluggish local demand. However, month-on-month (MoM) and YoY prices surged by 18.42% and 181.25%, respectively, driven by a significant increase in export volumes. Cumulative onion exports reached 800.5 thousand mt, marking a 24.4% YoY increase. This strong export performance has tightened local supply, contributing to the upward trend in prices over the longer term.

Mexico

In Mexico, onion prices dropped significantly by 27.78% WoW to USD 0.26/kg in W20, reflecting a 13.33% MoM decrease and a 25.71% YoY decline. This sharp price drop is due to an abundant local supply, as the 2025 harvest has yielded higher-than-expected volumes, leading to market saturation and downward pressure on prices. Additionally, erratic demand from key export markets, particularly the United States (US), has exacerbated the situation, as fluctuations in import patterns have disrupted the usual trade flow, further impacting prices. The combination of oversupply and inconsistent export demand has contributed to the significant decline in onion prices.

Egypt

In W20, onion prices in Egypt increased by 8.33% WoW and MoM to USD 0.62/kg, primarily due to a decrease in cultivated areas and a rise in Egyptian exports of onions in conjunction with increased demand for local consumption. However, there is a 13.33% YoY decrease, reflecting the lingering effects of the previous year's unusually cold weather that disrupted the biological cycle of onion crops, leading to reduced productivity and smaller bulb sizes. Despite a projected recovery in production for 2025, concerns over potential weather anomalies may limit growth, keeping prices relatively low in the short term.

Spain

Spain's onion prices rose by 6.90% WoW to USD 0.62/kg in W20, with a 3.33% MoM increase and a significant 113.79% YoY surge. This sharp YoY rise is due to a substantial reduction in onion production during the previous year, caused by adverse weather conditions such as droughts, which led to decreased yields and tightened supply. The current MoM and WoW increases reflect ongoing supply constraints and steady demand in local and export markets. Despite an expansion in onion acreage for the 2024/25 season, the market is still experiencing the effects of prior shortages, contributing to elevated prices. Additionally, increased input costs and logistical challenges have further influenced the upward pricing trend.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Prioritize Off-Season Export Windows

Onion producers in Egypt, India, Uzbekistan, and other key exporting countries should target off-season supply windows in major import markets like Russia to boost volume and pricing leverage. Exporters can coordinate planting schedules and storage to ensure a fresh supply during periods when local production in importing countries is low. For example, Egyptian growers should continue optimizing harvest timing to fill the gap before Russia’s domestic harvest begins, while Indian and Uzbek producers can extend storage life using improved ventilation and curing methods. This approach not only meets demand but also strengthens long-term buyer relationships.

Stagger Harvest and Storage for Multi-Phase Exports

Onion producers in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and India should implement staggered harvesting and storage strategies to enable multi-phase exports that meet seasonal demand shifts in markets like Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Tajik growers in Khatlon and Sughd can split harvests between early fresh exports and later cold-stored batches timed for mid and late-season windows. Similarly, Indian producers in Maharashtra and Gujarat can adopt phased cold storage to maintain quality for exports beyond peak harvest. This ensures a stable supply and pricing, reduces glut risk, and captures higher margins over a longer season.

Sources: Tridge, Economictimes, Financial Express, Freshplaza, Interfax, Khovar