Egypt Implements Ban on Onion Exports to Stabilize Prices

Starting today, Sunday, Egypt has initiated a three-month ban on the export of onions, aiming to address the soaring prices of this essential vegetable. The decision, published in the Official Gazette, comes as onion prices have skyrocketed, with the cost per kilo surpassing £25, a significant increase from the initial price of less than £10 at the beginning of the season.

Reasons for the Export Ban

The Council of Ministers made the decision on September 20 last year to implement the export ban until December 31, 2023, with the purpose of managing price control in the markets and alleviating the burden on citizens. The approval from the Council of Ministers was based on a report from the Chamber’s vegetable and fruit department, which predicted that halting onion exports would result in a decline in prices, especially with the emergence of new production groups that would increase the onion supply in the market.

Egypt’s Role in Onion Production

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt is ranked fourth globally in onion production, with a total volume exceeding 3.2 million tons. The leading countries in onion production are India, China, and the United States. Egypt cultivates onions on nearly 200,000 acres annually, and last year alone, onion exports reached approximately 470,000 tons.

Source: Al-Ahram