Joyce Namugambe
Following the increase in the external demand for onions, and the fact that the harvest took place during a dry spell, the production of onions in the country was affected, which forced farmers and intermediaries to increase the prices of onions, making it hard for Ugandans to buy them.
In the areas of Soroti, Lira and Kigezi sub region, fresh food vendors attribute the decrease in onion output to the dry spell harvest, thereby affecting the prices.
Agronomist Mr. Albert Birungi highlighted how the price of a kilogram of red onions increased from 2,500 shillings to 8,000 shillings, with an entire bag experiencing an increase from 320,000 shillings to 1.1 million, notably up from the 70,000 shillings it cost in 2022.
Due to the local scarcity of the onions in the country, the situation necesitated importing of red onions from Tanzania to serve the increasing demands.
The scarcity of onions was accentuated by a limited supply in the face of high demand both locally and internationally. A combination of irregular rainfall patterns and inadequate water supply impacted onion growth, leading to smaller bulb sizes and reduced production.
External demand from neighboring countries like South Sudan and Rwanda, where onion prices were favorable, contributed to the scarcity of onions within Uganda. The exportation of onions during harvest months to these neighboring markets drove up local prices.
Birungi says that they are optimistic that onion prices will normalise in the next four months. It should be noted that although the onion’s production in Uganda is concentrated in the western and the eastern parts, the goverment of Uganda is making efforts to expand the cultivation.
However, the shortage of onions caused by poor harvests and increased demand from neighboring countries has led to an increase in onion prices in Uganda. The situation has prompted discussions about the necessity of modern agricultural practices, and technological advancements to ensure stable food production, and mitigate the impact of external factors on local markets.
