Producer cooperation can improve the market position of Hungarian onions

(Photo: Pixabay)

Domestic farmers involved in onion production are counting on a good season this year, as a high-quality Hungarian harvest is expected this year – this was revealed at a professional day organized by the National Chamber of Agriculture, the Hungarian Vegetable and Fruit Association (FruitVeB), and producer Imre Bondár, VITALITA SEEDS Kft., Orosco Kft., Rit-Sat Kft., BASF-Nunhems Hungary Kft., and Syngenta Magyarország Kft. The participants of the professional day to be held in Murony were able to get acquainted with the mid-early and late varieties, in addition to an overview of the market situation and current challenges.

Onions are one of our most important field vegetable crops

The growing area has gradually expanded in recent years, and the growth has continued this year. The positive trend is partly due to the incentive of high spring prices. However, this year, sales problems may arise because other onion-growing regions in Europe are also promising excellent crops. All this will presumably cause oversupply, which can lead to dumping prices.

Hungarian producers can avoid dumping prices by increasing storage capacity

With adequate quality storage, they are not forced to sell immediately, so they can sell the crop at a much higher price during the rest of the year. However, the advantages of longer-term storage can only be exploited in the case of healthy onions produced using the appropriate variety selection and modern technology. When choosing a variety, it is always advisable to choose varieties that are best adapted to the growing area, tolerate changed climatic factors, provide high yields and a uniform commodity base.

Similar to other horticultural crops, it would be important to strengthen the cooperation of producers in onion production

Thanks to closer cooperation, the producers’ access to the market could improve, and the purchase prices could be set taking into account production costs, thanks to their greater bargaining position. Greater organization would significantly improve the market position of Hungarian onions. The selling price of new onions is always determined by the overwintering onions. At the same time, if the starting price is too low, there is a risk that the selling price will fall below the cost price by the end of the season.

Domestic onion consumption is stable and, unlike other vegetables, does not show hecticity

Since domestic production does not exceed domestic consumption, it represents a secure market. Domestic onions are usually available until mid-December, import pressure is felt on the market every year, but the competitiveness of foreign goods is constantly decreasing due to the increase in production costs. Therefore, there would be plenty of room to increase domestic onion production.

NAK – FruitVeB