Georgia
Wholesale Prices for Onions in Georgia Reached a Record High and Imports Are Abnormally High (Feb 2)
Georgia imported the highest volume of onions in January 2023 since at least 2014. Wholesale prices have increased. The Ministry of Finance reported that in the first month of 2023, Georgia imported 3.5K tons of onions. Commonly during January, imports are about two times lower.
Kazakhstan
24 Heavy Trucks With Onions Tried to Illegally Export From Kazakhstan to Russia (Feb 2)
In the West Kazakhstan region, twenty-four heavy trucks were detained for illegally exporting onions from Kazakhstan to Russia. The Ministry of Agriculture reported; The cargo was transported from Shymkent, Zhambyl, and Turkestan regions. On January 28th, Kazakhstan introduced a three-month ban on the export of onions, suspending the issuance of phytosanitary certificates for export.
In 2023, a Number of CIS Countries Banned the Export of Onions (Feb 3)
To meet the domestic demand and stabilize domestic prices at the beginning of 2023, many member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) introduced a ban on the export of onions. The introduction of the ban was due to the death of part of the crop and the freezing of stocks of products in these countries due to severe cold and temperature fluctuations. Batches of onions with phytosanitary certificates issued before January 28, which did not have time to cross the border before January 28, were returned.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan Has Imposed a Ban on the Export of Onions From the Country for a Period of Three Months (Feb 1)
The Ministry of Agriculture of Kyrgyzstan announced that the country introduced a temporary ban on exports of all types of onions for three months. The ban on the export of onions is to ensure food security and contain prices for socially significant food products.
New Zealand
Onion Crop Quality May Be Impacted by Floods (Feb 3)
The quality of onions in New Zealand may be affected by recent floods. Heavy floods washed tonnes of onions off the Pukekohe fields where the onions were drying and left many onions lying on soggy ground. The chief executive reported quality would be a factor in the matter. It takes six to eight weeks for the onions to be transported to Europe, so any of lower quality would deteriorate further by the time the shipments arrive.
Peru
Onion Exports Were Stagnant in 2022 (Jan 30)
As of W5, Peru ranks 11th among the main global onion suppliers. Since 2021, there has been no reported increase in the cultivated area or investments to improve the production of onions. In 2022, shipments resulted in 300.8K tons exported, for a value of USD 109M, the same volume as in 2021, with a 5% growth in value due to the price improvement.
Philippines
Philippine President Meets Over High Prices of Imported Onions (Feb 3)
The president of the Philippines ordered a stakeholder meeting in W5 after discovering that imported onion cost up to USD 3.61/kg. According to the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, the meeting will regard the reported high prices as imported onions enter the country.
Only 1.9K Tons of Imported Onions Arrived in the Philippines Last Week (Feb 3)
The Bureau of Plant Industry (DPI) reported only 1.9K tons of the permitted 5K tons of imported onions have arrived as the Department of Agriculture (DA) deadline for imports passed on. Around 1.9K tons of imported onions have arrived, 1K tons are in the market, and 900 tons are waiting for inspection.
Onions Worth USD 47.4M Sold Directly to Philippine Consumers (Feb 3)
The Philippine Department of Agriculture reported that values of USD 47.4M (PHP 2.6M) worth of onions were sold by cooperatives and grower's associations to consumers directly without intermediaries. The onions were purchased from various areas of the country through the initiative of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service.
Tajikistan
Tajikistan Bans Export of Onions, Potatoes and Carrots (Jan 30)
The Minister of Agriculture of Tajikistan reported that the export of onions, potatoes, and carrots has been prohibited. The government has introduced a temporary ban until the situation on the market stabilizes.
Onion Prices in Tajikistan Rose Sharply (Feb 3)
In Tajikistan, the wholesale price of onions continues to rise rapidly, breaking previous records. In one day, wholesale prices increased by USD 0.075 (EUR 0.07), an increase of 13% in 24 hours. Prices have already increased by 20% WoW.
Ukraine
Onion Prices in Ukraine Reached Another Record in the History of Independence (Feb 2)
In Ukraine, selling prices for onions have set another record, at USD 0.82/kg (UAH 30/kg). The price is forecasted to continue increasing as there is a high demand for onions, and stocks in many Ukrainian farms are almost exhausted.
Uzbekistan
Harvest of Early Onions in Uzbekistan Is Significantly Delayed and May Be Lower Than Expected (Feb 3)
In January, the consequences of unpredictable weather in Central Asia were not limited to the loss of part of 2022 crop stocks, the subsequent sharp rise in prices, and a series of bans on the export of onions from almost all countries in the region. The impact of abnormally cold weather on the harvest of early winter onions was an expected consequence.
