China: Poor onion season in Gansu

Most farmers suffered heavy losses

“The onion season in Gansu starts each year in June and finishes in mid-November. This season is nearly over and the market performance is worrying. The average price fell by about 60% compared with last year and most of the farmers suffered heavy losses,” an onion trader in Gansu, Mr Xiangjun Liang, says.

Farmers harvesting onions

Yellow skinned onion with dense and delicate pulp

“The sharp price drop is mainly caused by three factors: Firstly, onion production in Gansu has increased year by year and the market supply has increased substantially. Secondly, the costs of production, such as fertilizer, packaging and labor are higher than in previous years. Thirdly, the marketing channel has not yet been fully opened.”

Onion planting base

Packaged onion from Gansu

"I purchase and sell onion of high quality in Gansu and the annual supply of the onions in Gansu could reach fifty to sixty million tons. In terms of variety, yellow skinned oniona are more popular on the market, which is mainly due to its dense and delicate pulp, a sweet and spicy taste, overall good quality, high yield and strong storability."

Source – Fresh Plaza - Publication date: 11/21/2017