Uzbek Onion Prices Experience 43.22% YoY Decline in Nov-23 Amid Increased Local Supply of Onions

Due to increased domestic production and low international demand, Uzbekistan's onion prices have declined by 16.66% MoM to USD 0.15/kg in Nov-23. This could limit export opportunities and pressure onion prices.
The wholesale price of fresh first-quality lemons from Michoacán, Mexico, has increased 88.43% year-on-year (YoY) in Toluca. The price rose from USD 0.62 per kilogram (kg) in Nov-22 to USD 1.16/kg in Nov-22. Notably the price has fluctuated since Mar-23, reaching a peak in Sep-23 at USD 2.15/kg due to high demand caused by national holidays, followed by a decrease in the following months. Lemon production in Apatzingán, Michoacán, Mexico, has come to a standstill due to threats and extortion by organized crime, resulting in nationwide price surges. Criminal groups imposed fees of up to USD 0.058/kg (MXN 1/kg) on producers, leading to disruptions in the supply chain. Only the municipalities of Buenavista and Múgica have maintained production, facing taxes for each kilogram produced. The governor of Michoacán has confirmed an official complaint for extortion, urging producers to file formal complaints to aid investigations. As 70% of lemons consumed in Mexico come from Michoacán, the halt has significant national implications. Producers are encouraged to come forward, even anonymously, to address the crisis and prevent inadvertently supporting extortionists. The region has a history of paying fees to organized crime, affecting national lemon costs and local producers. Federal authorities, including the Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (Profeco), refute claims of criminal group threats impacting lemon prices in Mexico. They attribute the average price of USD 2.04/kg (MXN 35/kg) to regular seasonal demand patterns, highlighting the typical price hike during September due to increased demand during national holidays. Profeco dismisses reports suggesting organized crime imposing "quotas" on lemon growers. The distribution of lemon production remains concentrated, with 79.92% originating from states such as Veracruz, Michoacán, Colima, Oaxaca, and Tamaulipas, while other states contribute 20.08%. The scarcity of lemons in Mexico, exacerbated by weather conditions such as Hurricane Otis and delays in crops due to heavy rains, is affecting the lemon market, particularly for sizes 140 and 165. The delay in harvesting and larger fruit sizes contribute to challenges in the supply chain, leading to increased prices, especially for the first category of lemons. The price is forecasted to continue increasing due to the lesser supply available in the domestic market. The main markets for fresh Mexican lemons are the US with a 98.6% market share, the Netherlands with 0.93%, followed by the United Kingdom with 0.22%, France with 0.1% and Japan with 0.18%.