About ten days ago, farmers in Uzbekistan’s southernmost Surkhandarya region—known for supplying the country’s earliest vegetables to local and international markets—started harvesting early winter onions. These onions have already hit markets in Surkhandarya and nearby areas. But unlike past years, prices this season are skyrocketing, according to experts at EastFruit.
Farmers sold the first batches straight from the fields at an average of 5,000 Uzbek soms per kilogram (about 39 US cents). In retail markets, prices ranged from 7,000 to 8,000 soms per kilogram (54–62 US cents). So, why are this year’s starting prices so high? When will Uzbek onions reach export markets? And what’s in store for prices in the coming months?
Urmonali Usmanov, head of VESAGRO LLC, a consulting firm, shared insights into Uzbekistan’s onion market:
“Since mid-March 2025, farmers in Surkhandarya’s Jarkurgan, Kumkurgan, and Sherabad districts have been harvesting early winter onions. Right now, the onions aren’t mature enough for long-distance shipping—they’re still ‘not fully dressed,’ as we say. So, they’re mostly being sold locally in Surkhandarya and neighboring regions. Even so, farmers are thrilled with this year’s prices. Last year at this time, new harvest onions went for just 500 soms per kilogram (4 US cents). This season, prices are 10 times higher!”
Usmanov points to one main reason for the surge: a sharp drop in planting. “In late March, we started harvesting so called ‘August’ winter onions, planted last August or September. I estimate that across Uzbekistan, the area sown with these onions shrank by 30–40%. Neighboring countries of Central Asia likely saw similar cuts. Weather-wise, late 2024 and this winter were kind—no extreme cold spells. Yields are holding steady compared to last year, and ripening is on schedule. But the onions need more time to mature fully. I expect retail-ready onions in export-worthy volumes to hit the domestic market around April 15–20, 2025.”
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The harvest, kicked off In late March In the south, will stretch Into mid-June or early July, depending on the region and onion variety. Uzbekistan also grows winter onions with longer growing cycles, Usmanov noted.
What’s Next for Onion Prices?
Early vegetable prices usually drop fast as supply ramps up. But this year, onions might buck that trend. Smaller planting areas for ‘August’ onions mean less supply overall. Prices will now hinge on how quickly last year’s reserves run out and how much demand comes from abroad. Uzbekistan, after all, is Central Asia’s top onion exporter.
“Onions planted in November or December typically get harvested starting in early August the next year,” Usmanov explained. “I’d guess planting areas for those stayed about the same as in 2023. With last winter and early spring being mild, this year’s harvest should match last year’s, with no big delays in ripening. That should steady prices in Uzbekistan and likely push them down come August.”
For now, last year’s onion stocks are keeping prices stable in Uzbekistan and parts of Eastern Europe. With enough supply left and no major price spikes in Russia, exports from Uzbekistan probably won’t start before late April.
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