Domestic farmers engaged in onion production are expecting a good season this year, with forecasts pointing to a high-quality Hungarian harvest. The outlook was presented at a professional day in Murony, organized by the National Chamber of Agriculture, the Hungarian Vegetable and Fruit Association (FruitVeB), and producer companies including Imre Bondár, VITALITA SEEDS Kft., Orosco Kft., Rit-Sat Kft., BASF-Nunhems Hungary Kft., and Syngenta Magyarország Kft. The event introduced mid-early and late onion varieties, alongside an overview of the market situation and key challenges.
The onion growing area has gradually increased in recent years, and this expansion continued in 2025. High spring prices provided additional incentive for planting. However, sales difficulties may emerge as other European onion-growing regions are also expecting large harvests. This could result in oversupply and potentially dumping prices across the market.
Industry participants stressed that Hungarian growers can mitigate the risk of dumping prices by expanding storage capacity. With sufficient storage, growers are not forced to sell immediately and can secure better prices later in the season. These advantages, however, are only realized with healthy onions produced using appropriate variety selection and modern cultivation technology. Selecting varieties that adapt well to local growing conditions, withstand changing climatic factors, and deliver high yields and uniform quality is considered essential.
As with other horticultural crops, strengthening cooperation among onion producers would be key to improving market access. Closer cooperation would allow growers to negotiate more effectively, ensuring that purchase prices reflect production costs. A stronger organization would improve the overall market position of Hungarian onions. The price of new onions is traditionally influenced by overwintered onions, but if opening prices are too low, sales values risk falling below production costs later in the season.
Domestic onion consumption remains stable and, unlike other vegetables, does not show major fluctuations. Since domestic production does not exceed local demand, the market is relatively secure. Hungarian onions are usually available until mid-December, with import pressure entering the market annually thereafter. However, rising production costs abroad are reducing the competitiveness of imported onions, leaving scope for further expansion of Hungarian production.
Source: Trade Magazin
