August 25 2011, 09:36 Fruit-Inform

14% drop of Russia's onion imports in 2010/11

According to Fruit-Inform Project, the Russian Federation decreased its onion imports by 14% in the season 2010/11 (July-June) due to sharp growth of global onion prices and overall shortage of this produce in the market. Therefore, notwithstanding fall of Russia's internal production in 2010 because of bad weather conditions, the country did not manage to compensate onion shortage by imports.

Decrease in onion supply resulted in high prices, therefore onion consumption usually resistant to price fluctuations even in Russia considerably fell in last season.

In addition, Russia's onion imports were characterized by unusual seasonality: imports fell 2 times in February-March 2011 when prices in the EU were quite high, and broke all monthly records in May-June when prices in the EU sharply fell.

Russia imported onions mainly from Egypt, the Netherlands, Tajikistan, China and Turkey. However, the situation in Russia' onion market and its import geography will cardinally change in the new season.

We would remind you that more detailed information about the weekly price situation in the Russian market for onions and other fruits and vegetables, the history of prices over last 5 years and forecasts of their changes as well as full production, import and export statistics is available for subscribers of Fruit-Inform Weekly. Also the detailed fresh produce production, trade and price forecast for Russia will be presented during the Fourth International Conference “Fruit & Vegetable Business of Russia – 2011”. The event will take place in conjunction with World Food Moscow, September 14, 2011. Registration of the conference participants is currently in active progress.