Onion Overview

Onion is an important bulb vegetable crop, commercially grown in many countries of the world including Pakistan. Onion is being used as a raw and given protection to human beings from sun stroke, normally is consumed green as well as in mature stages almost by everyone (poor as well as rich people), by different mean.
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Onion (Allium cepa L) is one of the important ingredients used in daily meals all over Pakistan. Onions are used in soups, salads, sauces and for seasoning foods. Onions as a part of diet may play a part in preventing heart disease and other ailments (suggested by medical research). It is rich in phosphorus, calcium and carbohydrates.

The green leaves and immature and mature bulbs are eaten raw or used in preparation of vegetables. Onions are used in soups, sauces and for seasoning foods. The small bulbs one pickled in vinegar. Recent research has suggested that onions in the diet may play a part in preventing heart disease and other ailments. Onion bulb is rich in phosphorus, calcium and carbohydrates. The pungency in onion is due to a volatile oil known as allyl-propyl disulphide.
Onion is an important crop all over the world. In Pakistan, the major growing areas are Kasur, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Vehari, Khaniwal, D.G. Khan, and Jhang in Punjab, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Sukkar, Naushero Feroze and Badin in Sindh, Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NWFP) and Mastung, Kalat, Chagi, Khuzdar and Turbat in Baluchistan. More than 50 percent of the total production comes from seven districts, namely, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Swat, Mastung, Kalat and Turbat.

Present Status and Future Prospects of Onion in Pakistan
Introduction
The cultivated onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the important condiments widely used in all households. The total world production of onion was about 86.34 million tonnes and Pakistan occupied 8th position with 2.25% share in production (FAOSTAT, 2011). Leading onion producing countries with share in production were China (28.68%), India (18.45%), USA (3.89%), Iran (2.90%), Egypt (2.66), Turkey (2.48%), Russian Federation (2.46%) and Pakistan (2.25%) (Table1). It was estimated that the value of the world production of dry onion approached 29490 million US $ during 2011. More than 90% of onion is consumed within the countries of production. However, the crop is a major export earner for some economies.
There are several uses for onions including, pickling, chutney, sauces and dehydration. Onion bulbs are consumed both cooked and uncooked. In addition the common onion is also an important salad crop when eaten green (scallions). Particular varieties have been developed for most of these purposes. Cultivars for dehydration have a higher bulb dry matter (17-20%) than the typical (10-12%). Bulbs for consumption uncooked are sweet, mild-flavored and large; with single centers suitable for making onion “rings”. Recent research has suggested that onions in the diet may play a part in preventing heat stroke, disease and other ailments. Onion bulb is rich in phosphorus, calcium and carbohydrates. The pungency in onion is due to a volatile oil known as allyl-propyl disulphide.
Table 1: World Leaders in Onion Production (2011)
Ranking Country Production (million tonnes) % Share
1 China 27.76 28.68
2 India 15.93 18.45
3 USA 3.36 3.89
4 Iran 2.50 2.90
5 Egypt 2.30 2.66
6 turkey 2.14 2.48
7 Russian Federation 2.12 2.46
8 Pakistan 1.94 2.25
9 Netherlands 1.54 1.78
10 Brazil 1.52 1.76
Source: FAOSTAT, 2011
China and India contributed 47.13% of world onion production during 2011. The world market for onion is expanding with the increase in global population.
World Onion Exports
The World onion export market is 6.8 million tonnes per annum (FAOSTAT, 2011). The top 10 market leaders are mentioned in Table 2.
Table 2: Top 10 Onion Exporting Countries of The World (2011)
Ranking Country Export (000, tonnes) % Market Share
1 Netherlands 1327 19.60
2 India 1110 16.39
3 China 742 10.96
4 Egypt 491 7.25
5 Mexico 370 5.46
6 USA 356 5.26
7 Spain 253 3.74
8 Argentina 212 3.13
9 Peru 177 2.61
10 Pakistan 173 2.56
Source: FAOSTAT, 2011
Netherlands, India, China, Egypt, Mexico and United States of America are prominent among top 10 onion exporting countries of the world.
World Onion Imports
The top 10 onion importing countries of the world are mentioned in Table 3. Malaysia, Russian Federation, USA, Japan, UK and Saudi Arabia imports more than one third of onion traded globally.
Table 3: Top 10 Onion Importing Countries of The World (2011)
Ranking Country Import (000, tonnes) % Market Share
1 Malaysia 454 7.10
2 Russian Federation 453 7.09
3 USA 394 6.17
4 Japan 373 5.84
5 UK 357 5.59
6 Saudi Arabia 323 5.06
7 Germany 278 4.35
8 Bangladesh 268 4.20
9 Netherlands 206 3.23
10 Sri Lanka / Canada 178 2.79
Source: FAOSTAT, 2011
Pakistan has to strive hard to enlarge its share in the existing markets and penetrate into the new markets. It should be kept in mind that our competitors especially India are better organized in terms of product quality, consistent supplies, logistics and market promotion. Malaysia imported onion about 454,000 tonnes, Saudi Arabia 323,000 tonnes, Bangladesh 268,000 tonnes, Sri Lanka 178,000 tonnes and UAE 175,000 tonnes during 2011. Pakistan can substantially increase its share in these markets. In addition, Pakistan has established a foothold in Russian Federation by exporting kinnow and its exports are constantly increasing. During this period, Russian Federation imported about 453,000 tonnes onion. Pakistan can have a reasonable market share by using existing business connections.

Pakistan Onion Production
Pakistan produced about 1.94 million tonnes of onion during 2011. The average yield of onion in the country is 13.6 t/ha which is rather low and could be attributed to poor planting densities, low use of fertilizer, weed infestation and use of inferior quality seed. Lack of plant protection measures further aggravates the situation in lowering yields and depressing quality. Though subjected to annual variations, overall area and production of onions in Pakistan have shown an increasing trend during the past 10 years (Table 4). The good onion crop and reasonable market prices helped the private sector export almost 173000 tonnes in 2011.
Table 4: Area, Production and Average Yield of Onion in Pakistan (2001 to 2010)
Year Area (000, ha) Production (000, tonnes) Yield (t / ha)
2001 105.7 1563.6 14.8
2002 103.8 1385 13.3
2003 108.0 1427.5 13.2
2004 108.9 1449.0 13.3
2005 127.8 1764.9 13.8
2006 148.7 2055.7 13.8
2007 131.4 1816.5 13.8
2008 153.1 2015.2 13.2
2009 129.5 1704.1 13.2
2010 124.8 1701.1 13.6
Average (2001-2010) 124.2 1688.2 13.6
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
The province-wise area of onion based on the average data of five years (2005-10) is given in Table 5. Sindh is the leading onion province cultivating annually an average area of 56.6 thousand hectares followed by Baluchistan and Punjab with area of 37.8 and 35.1 thousand hectares, respectively.
Table 5: Province-wise Area (000, ha) of Onion in Pakistan (2005-10 Average)
Province 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Average
Punjab 32.7 35.6 35.8 35.3 36 35.1
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 11.9 12 12.2 12.1 12.2 12
Sindh 66.1 45.6 59.1 49.7 42.3 52.6
Baluchistan 38.1 38.2 46 32.5 34.3 37.8
Pakistan 148.7 131.4 153.1 129.5 124.8 137.5
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
The province-wise production of onion based on the average data of five years (2005-10) is given in Table 6. Sindh is the leading onion province producing annually of 687.5 thousand tonnes followed by Baluchistan and Punjab with production of 678.5 and 293.8 thousand tonnes, respectively.
Table 6: Province-wise Production (000, tonnes) of Onion in Pakistan (2005-10 Average)
Province 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Average
Punjab 305.6 315.7 260.5 300.5 285.9 293.8
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 216.6 206 227.1 136.4 207.5 198.7
Sindh 833.5 593.1 785 660.2 565.7 687.5
Baluchistan 699.2 701.6 742.6 607 642 678.5
Pakistan 2055.8 1816.5 2015.2 1740.1 1701.1 1858.5
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Pakistan Onion Exports
Generally speaking annual export of onion from the country averaged about 47,474 tons during 2005 to 2010. Yearly exports are given in Table 7. The lowest export figure in 2006/07 is attributed to bad crop harvest pushing prices upward in the domestic market and rendering exports uneconomical. In 2011 Pakistan exported 173000 tonnes of onions.
Table 7: Export of Onions from Pakistan, 2005/10
Year Quantity (tonnes) Value (000 Rs) Price per kg (Rs)
2005 /2006 35872 352468 9.83
2006 / 2007 9874 104425 10.58
2007 / 2008 36652 503837 13.75
2008 / 2009 32944 436779 13.26
2009 / 2010 122029 1994705 16.35
Average (2005 / 2010) 47474 678443 12.75
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

Per unit export prices are also low which apparently are attributed to produce quality. Onions for export are sourced from the wholesale market, manually graded and repacked according to the choice of exporters and generally shipped through non-reefer open top containers. The repeated and rough handling, extended time between harvesting and product preparation for export and holding produce under undesirable conditions tend to adversely impact the produce quality and as a consequence its market ability and sale price. The destination-wise exports of onion are given in Table 8.
Table 8: Country-wise Export of Onion from Pakistan (tonnes)
Country 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Average
USA 8074 5345 18833 12530 53968 19750
Sri Lanka 5439 3603 9728 4706 24738 9643
Malaysia 7206 235 4839 6775 32729 10357
Other 15153 691 3252 8933 10594 7725
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Pakistan, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
UAE, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are the main markets for onion exports from Pakistan. These markets are very convenient and Pakistan has the potential to increase market share. There is need to consolidate position in the existing markets especially UAE, Sri Lanka and Malaysia through market promotion and consistently supplying quality produce, and also identify new markets.
Growing Areas
Onion in Punjab is mainly produced in Southern part comprising of Khanewal, Vehari, Okara, D. G. Khan, Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan districts. Ghotki, Nausherhro Feroze, Nawabshah, Shikarpur, Sanghar, Mirpur Khas and Hyderabad are main onion producing district in Sindh. Similarly Swat and Dir in KPK and Mastung, Kalat and Chagai are main onion producing districts in Baluchistan.

Varieties
Onions start bulb formation when the day length is of the proper duration and different varieties of onions require different day lengths to initiate bulbing. In general, most common varieties fall into one of two classes, long-day (for northern latitudes) and short-day (for southern latitudes). For this reason, onion varieties that are grown in the South are not adaptable to the North and vice-verse. Onion varieties grown in Pakistan are given in Table 9.
Table 9: Onion Varieties Grown in Pakistan
Province Varieties
Sindh Phulkara
Punjab Desi Red, Phulkara
Baluchistan Sarriab Surkh, Chiltan-89
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Swat-1
Planting and Harvesting Seasons
The agro-ecological diversity obtained in the country enables production of onions almost around the year (Table 10). However, production volumes greatly differ from crop to crop as follows:
 June-July Punjab & Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa Plains (13%)
 August-September Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa Uplands (16%)
 August-October Baluchistan (26%)
 November-May Sindh (45%)
It is apparent from the above that bulk of the onion crop is harvested from August to May. The augmented supplies tend to keep prices in the domestic market low thereby offering an opportunity for export. Therefore, onion exports are mainly undertaken during this period, predominantly from Sindh crop. Due to limited shelf life and absence of suitable cold storage facilities in the country, onions have to be disposed in the domestic and international market as fresh harvest.
Table 10: Planting and Harvesting Times of Onion
Province Nursery / Sowing Transplanting Harvesting
Punjab October / November December / January May / June
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa October December / January June / July
(Lower Sindh)
(Upper Sindh) June / September
October / November July / October
November / February October / February
March / May
Baluchistan – February / March (direct seedling) September / November
Current National Problems
 Identification of suitable varieties for short to intermediate days, high yield with better storage quality.
 Inadequate supply of good quality seed
 Hoeing and weeding for control of weeds in onion crop is very expensive.
 Considerable damage is done to onion crop by thrips, purple blotch and downy mildew.
 Phosphorus and potash fertilizers are rarely used by the farmers. As a result the bulbs have very poor storage quality.
 Marketing of surplus produce of onion during the year of over production is a great problem.

Climatic Requirements
Onion is a cool season plant, its optimum temperature for seed germination ranges from 20-25 °C, early growth stages before bulking require 13 to 20 °C and bulb development needs 16 to 25 °C. Best growth and quality is obtained the temperature is cool during the early development and warm near maturity. A dry atmosphere at harvest is desirable to obtain satisfactory curing of the bulbs. The onion is fairly resistant to frost injury, but not immune. At low temperature, bulbing takes place very slowly and if the temperature is very low, no bulbing takes place. At low temperature onions are more inclined to run to seed called bolting.

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