Since the beginning of this week, several large agricultural enterprises in Moldova, which still have onions of export quality, have raised wholesale prices from 6-6.5 MDL/kg to an average of 7 MDL/kg ($0.40/kg), EastFruit reports. In parallel with the price increase for export quality onions, farmers are also trying to raise prices for lower quality vegetables. These onions are suitable for local market and are still in a rather good demand.
Still, onions in Moldova are relatively expensive and are 28% cheaper than at the same time of 2023 but still slightly more expensive than usually at this time of year. Yet, they are much less expensive than in the EU, where prices are high and are growing rapidly.
According to estimates of market participants, stocks of high-quality onions in Moldova currently amount to a maximum of 3-4 thousand tons. Theoretically, this volume would be enough for local retail until the end of winter, or, possibly, until the end of march. However, exports of Moldovan onions are likely to continue in February, although the volume and pace of trade will likely decrease.
Read also: Moldova’s apple stocks remain unusually high in January 2024
Considering the above, onion prices are likely to grow further in Moldova in the foreseeable future. Also, Moldova should consider sourcing onions in Central Asia, as prices in Tajikistan are as low as 9 US cents per kg – almost four times cheaper than in Moldova.
Some market players believe that in the spring a wholesale price of onions at 10 MDL/kg or around US $0,40 per kg and more is possible and even probable. EastFruit analysts think that if estimates of onion stocks are correct, Moldova will likely see a higher price of onions to allow imports from Central Asia, where prices are likely to decline further in the near future.
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