Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Based on the results of monitoring conducted on 23 January, wholesale prices for unsorted onions averaged 6.5 thousand soums, and on special trade counters of markets - 5 thousand soums, in shopping centers and supermarkets - 7.7 thousand soums. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Compared to 1 January, the wholesale price of onions increased by 2,900 soums, at special trade counters - by 2,000 soums, in shopping centers - by 3,550 soums.

The increase in prices was affected by an increase in the cost of logistics due to the temporary suspension of the work of some gas stations (gas stations). In addition, the main part of the onion, which is at the disposal of farmers, is frozen due to a sharp cold snap (frozen outer layers do not affect the taste of the onion). In recent years, such a sharp cooling has rarely been observed in the conditions of Uzbekistan.

This has led to temporary disruptions in the supply chain of onion products to markets.

According to experts, in order to prevent the complete death of the product, it is important not to touch (do not move) the frozen onion until the onset of moderate weather.

Although the price of onions has risen, the public should not be concerned about this, and the restriction of its exports from 1 January this year indicates that it is possible to supply markets with onions in accordance with demand.

In order to stabilize the domestic consumer market for onions, the Ministry of Agriculture and the department under the General Prosecutor’s Office are constantly studying the stock of products at the disposal of all farms.

Today, 51 thousand tons of onions are in the reserves created in the regions, and 200 thousand tons are in the farms by decision of the government.

All accumulated products are sold to the population through special trade stalls organized in the markets and mobile fairs in microdistricts, together with the district administration and departmental bodies.

In order to meet the demand of the domestic consumer market for onions and prevent price increases, by 1 April 2023, measures have been determined to bring 37.5 thousand tons of onions to the markets.

In addition, daily monitoring of additional demand in the markets is carried out in order to deliver onions grown in excess of the needs of some regions of the republic to other regions.

Based on the results of observations, measures are being taken to ensure the unimpeded delivery of onions from one region to another according to the “green corridor” principle.

Thus, over the past 25 days, a total of 5,000 tons of onions have been transported.

In particular, onions were purchased from the regions of the republic for the purpose of intervention: in the Navoi region - 700 tons, Namangan - 630 tons, Fergana - 430 tons, Andijan - 410 tons, Jizzakh - 320 tons, Bukhara - 310 tons, Khorezm - 300 tons, Syrdarya - 270 tons, Tashkent - 240 tons, Kashkadarya - 180 tons, Republic of Karakalpakstan - 180 tons, Tashkent region - 150 tons, Samarkand - 140 tons, Surkhandarya - 75 tons.

All products purchased for the purpose of intervention were sold at a discount under the control of the Department’s management without unreasonable price increases.

Currently, the guaranteed supply of products to the domestic consumer market continues.