The onion market is finally back on track and high-quality produce is now being paid a fair price. There is not a lot of produce available in Italy but other nations such as Spain are doing much worse. The situation is within the norm in northern Europe as well, so operators are making purchases to avoid being left without stock and the market is thriving.
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"Things have changed compared to a month and a half ago. Prices had been terrible until November, I'm talking about 30 eurocents for white onions in 10 kg bags. Then they have started increasing from December onward. At the moment, high-quality produce of an average grade doesn't go below 50 eurocents," explains a producer/trader from Bologna.
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Everything depends on quality. Temperatures reached 43°C during summer and a lot of the produce yellowed. Those who were lucky/clever enough to harvest before the heat now have excellent produce that is in demand and well paid.
"I have sold produce to Spain for the first time, as usually it is them who flood us with produce. Arab countries are also requiring high-quality white onions, maybe due to the lack of produce from Spain and northern Europe. In addition, I am now shipping produce to Poland three times a week when I only used to sent a truck once every 10 days."
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For once, it is producers who are dictating the price, but only when it comes to good quality produce. Other categories do not manage to do as well.
Prices of red onions are high, but it's a an entirely different market. Those of golden onions are normal or good depending on quality.