The key facts

  • Onion production in 2026 is estimated at 1.5 million tons — 400 thousand tons (35%) above the population's needs
  • In Surkhandarya region onions are mostly early varieties (April–May); late varieties occupy small areas
  • Delivery from Jizzakh and Samarkand costs 350–370 soums per kilogram; the local retail price is 4,000–4,500 soums

The ministry attributed the price increase to seasonality and logistics

In recent days, social media has seen reports of rising onion prices, and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan issued an official explanation, which Kun.uz cites. According to the ministry, in 2026 an estimated 1.5 million tons of onions were grown in the republic — 400 thousand tons, or 35%, more than the population's needs. In other words, by the official assessment, there is no shortage in the country as a whole, and the price increase is local in nature and tied to the situation in individual regions.

Why onions became more expensive specifically in Surkhandarya region

The main explanation concerns Surkhandarya region. The region's soil and climate conditions are suited primarily to early onions, which ripen in April–May. Late onions, which ripen in October–November, are not planted over large areas due to the negative impact of high temperatures during the summer growing season. At the same time, seeds and sets are sown in August–September, and by the 'toxanbosti' method in October–November; the population also partially plants onions in February–March and harvests in August–September.

Figures for the region and the supply chain

In the first nine months of 2026, Surkhandarya region grew 387.1 thousand tons of onions: 120 thousand tons were used for the population's consumption, 46 thousand tons were exported, and the rest was sent to other regions of the republic. By now, none of the 2026 harvest remains in the fields, so to cover demand, private entrepreneurs are bringing onions into the region's markets from Jizzakh and Samarkand regions.

How the price for the buyer is formed

The Ministry of Agriculture provides a detailed breakdown of costs. The purchase price from dehqans is 2,600–3,300 soums per kilogram in Jizzakh region and 2,800–3,000 soums in Samarkand region. Delivery by truck or an Isuzu-type vehicle costs 350–370 soums per kilogram: transporting 20 tons costs up to 7 million soums, and 10 tons — 3.8–4 million soums. Including transport, the delivered cost for entrepreneurs reaches 2,950–3,650 soums (from Jizzakh), 3,150–3,350 soums (from Samarkand), and 3,400–3,500 soums for deliveries to Denau district. The retail price in the markets of Surkhandarya region has meanwhile settled at 4,000–4,500 soums per kilogram. The ministry notes that in some cases there is a noticeable difference between the purchase-and-delivery cost and the market price — that is, logistics explain only part of the final price, while the retail markup remains a variable that the explanation does not disclose.