Brazil: Onion prices rise towards the end of the harvest

The scenario this week (May 12-16) in Ituporanga and Lebon Régis (SC) was an increase in onion prices due to the increased number of orders.

Both regions are running low on supplies and are expected to close operations in the coming days, and no later than the end of this month.

The price increase is linked both to the low domestic supply and to some difficulties in the entry of foreign products, especially Argentine ones.

Hortifrúti/Cepea employees report logistics problems in the neighboring country (such as the lack of truck availability) as well as difficulties in clearing cargo at customs. It is worth mentioning that this Thursday (15) was a municipal holiday in Porto Xavier, which further hampered port activities. Agents report that, in general, foreign products remain of very good quality, but that the inflow should soon be reduced due to the Brazilian harvests in the Northeast, Cerrado and São Paulo, and the Brazilian market should receive imports in considerable volume until mid-June.

In the Ituporanga region, red onions closed at an average of R$2.67/kg in the field, a 43.7% increase compared to the previous week. In Lebon, the price paid for size 3 onions was R$60.00/20 kg bag, a 50% increase compared to the same comparison.