Ministry of Agriculture explains reasons behind rising onion prices

According to the ministry's estimates, 1.5 million tonnes of onions are planned to be grown in the country in 2026. This is 400,000 tonnes, or 35%, more than the requirement determined under medical consumption standards. Intermediary markups, the agency estimates, reach up to 25–50%.

As an example, the ministry cited Surkhandarya region. Over nine months, 387,100 tonnes of onions were harvested there, this year's entire crop has already been gathered, and entrepreneurs are now bringing in the vegetable from Jizzakh and Samarkand regions. Transporting one kilogram costs 350–370 soums. Onions are bought from farmers in Jizzakh region at 2,600–3,300 soums per kg, from Samarkand region at 2,800–3,000 soums, while on the markets of Surkhandarya region they cost around 4,000–4,500 soums. The difference between the cost price including delivery and the retail price, the ministry calculates, ranges from 350 soums (9.6%) to 1,550 soums (52.5%).

For the 2026–2027 winter-spring season, 102,800 tonnes of onions are planned to be stockpiled, including 2,750 tonnes for Surkhandarya region. These reserves may be released onto the domestic market and sold at reduced prices through dedicated retail outlets. Harvesting is still underway in Tashkent, Samarkand, Jizzakh and Syrdarya regions, as well as the Fergana Valley.

The agency warned against the artificial inflation of prices. Holding back onions in anticipation of price increases makes no economic sense, the ministry said: with prolonged storage, they lose weight and quality.