Surge in domestic output pushes Brazil to halt onion imports for first time since 2007

Brazil halted onion imports in October due to a surge in domestic production — a situation that had not occurred in that month since 2007. The suspension of international purchases is explained by the abundant supply coming from the Cerrado region, whose harvest extends until early November. The scenario of a domestic market well supplied occurs amid the progress of the Santa Catarina onion harvest. These data are from the November Agricultural Bulletin, a monthly publication produced by Epagri’s Center for Socioeconomics and Agricultural Planning.

The average price paid to producers has not shown new references since June 2025, when a 20-kg sack was priced at R$30.29 in nominal values. In wholesale markets, prices remained stable compared to September, with a slight increase of 9.49%, reaching R$41.06.

The expectation is that production from the South of the country will begin to supply the domestic market in the coming weeks. In Santa Catarina, storage conditions allow farmers to hold part of the crop to take advantage of more competitive prices during periods of lower supply in 2026.

Lillian Bastianda, Socioeconomics and Rural Development analyst at Epagri/Cepa, explains that the harvest of early onion areas has already begun in some municipalities, but that a large part of this initial volume is being directed to storage. “Producers’ strategy is to wait for a more favorable price scenario, something considered likely given the projected decline in national supply over the coming weeks,” she emphasizes.

The projection is that appreciation will occur gradually, with the possibility of more attractive prices throughout the first quarter of 2026, a period when the market historically records lower product availability.

Estimates for Santa Catarina onion production point to an increase of 7.30%, bringing total production to around 40 thousand tonnes, up from the previous season. This advance is not related to an expansion of planted area — which grew only 1.41% — but to productivity gains expected in regions such as Ituporanga, Rio do Sul, and Canoinhas, with projected increases of 10.04%, 11.03% and 8.09%, respectively. Most fields are in good condition and in the fruiting stage.

Lillian adds that prospects for the Santa Catarina crop are very positive, both in volume and quality. “The Ituporanga region, which is the state’s main onion-producing hub, has fields in excellent condition, the result of a cycle favored by weather and proper management,” she highlights.

Source: Agrolink

Sharing is caring!