Onion Prices in Russia: Wholesale Trends and Regional Impacts
Since early 2022, the wholesale price of onions on the Russian market has risen noticeably. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate a cumulative increase of about 28.7 percent, reaching roughly 19.3 rubles per kilogram in the February 2022 to February 2023 period. Analysts point to a decisive factor behind the surge: a ban on exports from Central Asian producers. The policy aimed at safeguarding domestic supply amid growing concerns about possible shortages, with authorities cited by Vedomosti and other outlets noting the export restrictions as a key driver of higher wholesale costs.
During the same timeframe, the trend extended beyond onions alone. The so-called borscht set material costs showed divergent movement. While onions climbed, cabbage prices fell by about 58.6 percent, landing near 12.7 rubles per kilogram. Potatoes declined by around 37.3 percent to about 17.2 rubles per kilogram. Beets decreased by 28.8 percent to around 15.8 rubles, and carrots dropped by roughly 20.4 percent to 18.8 rubles per kilogram in the grade assessed. These shifts reflect a broader rebalancing of staple vegetables as supply chains adapted to regulatory changes and evolving import patterns.
Industry observers, including researchers from Russia’s leading economic institutes, have continued to monitor price movements into 2023. Initial months of January demonstrated persistent weakness in wholesale fruit and vegetable markets alongside a visible price uptick for several fresh items. Fresh cucumbers rose by more than 19 percent, tomatoes by about 17 percent, and carrots by approximately 10 percent within the early part of the year, according to the same research streams and government data. Forecasters expect this momentum to persist, subject to weather, production cycles, and any shifts in trade policy, with consumers across Canada and the United States following similar dynamics in global produce markets.