Onion prices have halved this year compared to last year. Quality onions can be bought in markets depending on the variety starting from 16 UAH/kg, and even cheaper in supermarkets – 6-7 UAH/kg.

However, what is good for consumers turns into losses for farmers, noted Vanda Serdyuk, Head of the Department for Agro-Industrial Complex Development and Land Resources Management of Khmelnytskyi OVA (Regional Military Administration).

“Some farms that grow vegetables decided not to harvest onions at all this year, as the price is lower than the cost of growing them. Therefore, some areas are simply being plowed under without even harvesting the crops. The acreage under onions increased because in previous years, when the price was high and there was a certain shortage, producers became concerned and planted significantly more this year. For example, in the Khmelnytskyi region, out of approximately 800 hectares of vegetable crops, about 40% is occupied by onions, and its acreage has increased by more than 100 hectares.”

According to Vanda Serdyuk, the weather also contributed to the high onion yield.

“This year, despite capricious weather conditions and a rather temperamental summer, they generally fully met the needs for growing onions. The cost of onions has dropped almost twofold compared to last year — by about 50%, and possibly even more.”