Brazil: Despite local supply, imports of high-quality onions are increasing.

Onion supplies in Ituporanga and Lebon Régis (SC) remain high due to good production in the 2024/25 harvest. However, it should be noted that the products are declining in quality week after week, and senescence intensifies with the heat of February and March. Therefore, the expectation that stocks would last until mid-May or early June is unlikely to materialize. Buyers of bulbs in Santa Catarina have reported a high incidence of mold and rot in their shipments. Therefore, they are opting for foreign onions, mainly from Argentina and Chile, which are of excellent quality.

According to Comex Stat, the volume purchased in March was 638% higher than in February and 24% higher than in March 2024. Regarding the origin of these products, almost 58% came from Argentina and 42% from Chile. Employees consulted by Hortifrúti/Cepea reported that both countries still have a large amount of product in storage and, therefore, have the ability to supply Brazil, if necessary.

Still, although more onions were imported last month, Brazil is not expected to acquire the same volume this year as in 2024 (which had a record import volume), but a significant volume is still expected to be purchased between April, May, and early June. Imports are expected to decline as the Northeast, the Cerrado (Minas Gerais and Goiás), and São Paulo ramp up their harvesting pace, with the first harvests scheduled to begin later this month.