In W29 in the onion landscape, wholesale prices for new crop onions in Uzbekistan have declined by 20% week-on-week (WoW) due to a decrease in demand in foreign markets and sufficient supply in the domestic market. The average wholesale price decreased from USD 0.0049/kg to USD 0.0039/kg (UZS 2.5 thousand/kg to UZS 2 thousand/kg), three times lower than in 2022. The steady decline in demand for Uzbek onions in foreign markets since mid-June has led to increased supply locally, resulting in reduced demand and lower prices in the domestic market. In addition, Uzbekistan has exported 3.3 thousand tons of onions to the Latvian market following the lifting of the ban on onion exports. The retail price of Uzbek onions in Latvia is USD 1.42/kg (EUR 1.29/kg), six times higher than the stable wholesale price of USD 0.21/kg (EUR 0.19/kg) in Uzbekistan. Despite the low quality of some Uzbek onions, they are still in demand in Latvia due to the higher prices of high-quality onions from the Netherlands. Transportation without refrigeration negatively impacts the quality of Uzbek onions in foreign markets.
Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a significant onion-producing region of Pakistan, contributing 64% of the province's onion production. However, in 2023, onion farmers face challenges due to excessive rainfall. Many farmers have reported severe losses, with some suffering losses up to USD 12.146 thousand (INR 1 million). Swati onion is in high demand in Pakistan. The local agriculture department has highlighted the importance of onion cultivation in the region, with an annual production of 11.6 million kg, generating over USD 18.221 million (INR 1.5 billion) for farmers.
The South Korean government's plans to promote the import of 90 thousand tons of onions through a low tariff quota (TRQ) in the second half of the year are facing criticism from opposition parties. The Democratic Party of Korea has called for the immediate withdrawal of the onion import policy, stating that it affects local onion farmers that are struggling due to abnormal weather conditions and rising production costs. Furthermore, according to the "2023 Barley, Garlic, and Onion Production Survey Results" released by the National Statistical Office of South Korea, onion production experienced a decrease of 1.9% from the previous year, resulting in a total of 1.17 million tons. This decline was due to a drop in the cultivated area for onions, particularly in mid-late maturing varieties.
Kenya is facing a shortage of onions, leading to a sharp price increase, reaching USD 1.05/kg (KES 150/kg) due to reduced imports from Tanzania. The shortage is worsened by declining production by local farmers, attributed to high production costs and recent droughts. Traders prefer Tanzanian onions for their quality, stable supply, and longer shelf life. However, the main growers in Tanzania have limited their onion production, contributing to the scarcity. The heavy dependence on Tanzanian supply has resulted in price hikes, and with limited irrigation practices in Kenya, the shortage is expected to continue until local production increases. Lastly, the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia predicts a decline in onion prices to normal levels soon after a period of price increase caused by harvest losses in neighboring countries. Onion prices have increased throughout 2023, reaching USD 0.80/kg (RUB 73/kg) in May. However, experts noted a decline in onion prices in June for the first time in 2023, and the Ministry of Agriculture anticipates that prices will stabilize and return to usual levels soon. The price increase was triggered by unexpected frosts in Central Asian countries, leading to a shortage of onions and export bans in some regions. Retailers shifted their focus to imports from other countries like China and Azerbaijan, contributing to the price surge. With mass onion harvesting starting, prices are forecasted to stabilize.