Onion growers around Peipsi järv (Lake Peipus), one of Estonia's main production areas, report a relatively good crop this year, though bulb size is smaller than usual.
Rainfall during the summer has not negatively impacted yields. In some areas, the conditions have even supported production, with growers on higher ground recording strong harvests after several weaker years. Others, however, saw less favorable results. Despite the variations, prices remain stable. Onions are selling for €3 to €3.50 per kilo (US$3.25 to US$3.80).
In Lüübnitsa, near Lämmijärv to the south of Peipsi järv, onion growing continues as a family trade passed from one generation to the next. Local grower Svetlana, who relocated from the capital to continue her family's work, described the harvest as abundant despite the smaller bulb size. "This year, the onions are not large, but there are a lot of them. There are 5–6 onions per bunch, and otherwise, the onions are good," she said.
Another grower, Nadežda Jeršina, who also moved from Tallinn with her husband, noted that excess rainfall initially submerged her field. "We had a lot of rain. My field was completely submerged. But when the rains went away and the onion heads started to form, everything gradually got back in order," she explained.
The annual Lüübnitsa onion and fish fair, held on Saturday, provided a key sales outlet for local growers. Buyers came from different parts of the country. Jaanus, visiting from Võru, said he had come mainly for garlic but also purchased onions and dried fish. "I think I otherwise would not have come, but I saw on Facebook that there is a fair in Lüübnitsa. I called a friend and said, 'Let's go take a look.' Actually, I came to the fair more for the garlic, as you cannot get normal garlic in the store right now, but then the onions and dried fish also caught my eye," he said.
Moonika, a buyer from Harju County, reported that she and her group bulk-buy onions at the fair each year for resale. "We put a post on Facebook, where people can write how much of something each person wants. Then we add up the numbers and come here to take them from different growers. This year we are buying almost 800 kilos of regular onions, 25 separate kilos of red onions, and 50 kilos of garlic," she said.
Source: News ERR
