In March, southern Brazilian states Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná reported depleted onion stocks, according to Hortifruti/Cepea sources. To fulfill demand, Brazil has utilized stocks from Ituporanga and Lebon Régis in Santa Catarina, with supplies in these areas also dwindling. The country has increased imports, notably from Argentina, to compensate. However, Argentine onion imports have faced delays at the Porto Xavier border due to stringent sanitary inspections targeting quarantine insects and a reduced workforce from a slow-down work regime by federal public servants.
The onset of the harvest in Irecê, Bahia, and the São Francisco Valley, straddling Pernambuco and Bahia, has seen limited yields. Adverse weather during planting has impacted both the volume and post-harvest quality of the crop. Normalcy in the Northeast is anticipated by mid-April, following more favorable early-year climatic conditions.
Source: datamarnews.com