Argentina: Río Negro exports more than 80,000 tons of onions

Río Negro has established itself as the main onion producer in southern Argentina. The province has 8,000 hectares under cultivation, more than 400 producers involved, and an estimated gross domestic product of $95 billion. It exports more than 80,000 tons annually, with Brazil as its main destination, which accounts for 90% of shipments.

The data was presented by Governor Alberto Weretilneck, who yesterday led the opening of the 26th Mercosur Onion Seminar in Viedma, a meeting that brings together producers, specialists, and authorities from different countries to analyze the present and future of the onion sector.

The event, organized jointly with the Province of Buenos Aires and INTA, focuses on improving competitiveness and exploring new international markets.

“Our history is centrally tied to agriculture and livestock; it’s part of our identity,” said Weretilneck, who added that “Patagonia has invested for many years so that our health status allows us to access the most demanding markets worldwide.”

Furthermore, the Governor emphasized that "it is very important to work in coordination between the provincial and municipal governments and the productive sector to see what can be improved, what can be prevented, and thus act in favor of sustained growth in the activity."

In recent years, Río Negro has experienced exponential growth in onion production, consolidating its position as the leading producer in southern Argentina. Currently, the province has 8,000 hectares under cultivation, an increase of more than 300%. This has generated a significant economic impact, with more than 400 producers involved and an estimated gross geographic product of $95 billion.

In this regard, the Director of INTA Valle Inferior, Germán Cariac, stated that "Río Negro’s hydroelectric infrastructure is driving yields to increasingly higher production levels, reaching 100 and 120 tons per hectare in drip rivers, which is beginning to generate a very significant supply in the province."

Furthermore, Río Negro exports more than 80,000 tons of onions per year, with Brazil as the main destination, absorbing 90% of exports. However, in the face of economic challenges and market volatility, the seminar’s central objective is commercial diversification and the search for new opportunities to strengthen the sector.

The Minister of Economic and Productive Development of Río Negro, Carlos Banacloy, emphasized the importance of the seminar, highlighting the productive growth of Río Negro, its agri-food diversification, and the need to strengthen global marketing.

"The role of public policies in the development of the sector, along with sustained financial support and provincial stability in a challenging economic context, is fundamental," Banacloy emphasized, referring to Río Negro’s potential, its climate advantage, and the availability of water to expand the area under irrigation.

During the meeting, industry experts and leaders will discuss strategies to improve competitiveness, incorporate production technologies, and optimize profitability. Foreign trade trends and the potential of Rio Negro onions in emerging markets will also be analyzed.

The Minister of Agrarian Development of Buenos Aires, Javier Rodríguez, praised the seminar and the collaborative work among the various stakeholders. “This meeting between producers, professionals, technicians, representatives from various companies, stakeholders, and public policy leaders is fundamental. We understand federalism in this way, working cooperatively among the provinces, seeking to boost local and regional development,” he emphasized.