Why is the price of onions going up in Tajikistan?

An average price for one kilogram of onions at Dushanbe’s bazaars has increased from 2.50 somonis in January 2022 to 7.50 somonis.  Experts say prices can be brought down only by a new crop, which will be available in three months.  

According to data from the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, more than 672,000 of onions were produced in the country last year, which is 6.6 percent fewer than in 2021.  

Last year, onion prices rose throughout the summer and autumn.

Officials from the Export Development Agency say the price hike is not related to exports.  According to them, onion exports last year decreased by 18,000 compared to 2021.

“Onion exports did not increase last year and the main reason for the rise in onion prices is unfavorable weather conditions,” they said in August last year.   

Meanwhile, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), income from onion sales over the first six months of last year increased by 36 percent compared to the same period of 2021.  In January-June 2021, income from onion sales amounted to 4.7 million U.S. dollars, while over the first six months of last year, income from onion sales increased to 6.6 million U.S. dollars.  

Source: IA Asia-Plus