Ukraine exported the largest volume of onions in eight years and dramatically expanded the geography of exports

In the 2020/21 season, Ukraine saw a significant increase in onion exports, with over 34.1 thousand tons sent to international markets, earning $ 6.5 million. This marks the largest export volume in eight seasons, though it falls short of the record set in the 2012/13 season. The low domestic prices of onions, the highest in nine years, meant that the export efforts were not particularly effective and quality parameters could have been improved. Despite these challenges, Ukraine managed to expand its export reach, with half of the exports going to the EU, particularly Romania. The Middle East, CIS, and Asia also played a role in absorbing Ukrainian onions, with Bangladesh and Malaysia being significant buyers. There was also the first systematic export to Sub-Saharan Africa, with countries like Cameroon and Sierra Lyon showing interest. While the pricing for the 2021/22 season looks promising, with a majority predicting price increases, there are concerns about the pricing environment and the potential for further support for these export channels.