February 8 2006, 14:28

How will frosts influence onion prices?

There are some messages about the frost-damaged onion sold on low prices on market. Several market players say that large volumes of onion are injured by frost; we can expect much frost-damaged onion on low prices soon. At the same time, onion of good quality will cost much, and the price will further grow by greater rates than expected. Despite of such statements, the specialists of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" weekly journal have not heard the confirmation of this fact from the companies which store and sell onion. Many of them say that stored onion is of good quality, the sales of frost-damaged onion are solitary, and the overall situation is not changed significantly.

The specialists evaluate onion stock as sufficient, especially compared to other vegetables which performed this year a poor harvest and a low capacity to be stored well. That's why the further price increase is possible, but it won't be too drastic.

Onion price is relatively high this year, and we can say for sure that the producers and the wholesale companies will make a good profit. The prices on Ukrainian market attract the foreign suppliers too; there is information that Polish onion is sold on $0.37/kg in the western regions of Ukraine.