Agriculture Climate and lack of pesticides affect onions

The 2024 onion harvest was meagre. In mid-October, 15,500 tons were in storage. This is well below the 2020 and 2022 figures of over 20,000 tons each. 2021 was too wet. One important reason for the decline is the lower yield per hectare.

Yields per hectare are trending downwards, as Matija Nuic, Director of the Association of Swiss Vegetable Producers, told the Agricultural Information Service on Monday. 40 percent of onions are grown in the Bernese Seeland. Other growing areas are in St. Gallen and Vaud.

The heavy rainfall was the biggest challenge. Fungal diseases attacked the onions and spread in the damp environment. This also impairs the storage life. According to Nuic, it is uncertain how the onions will keep.

The loss of central plant protection products is causing headaches for the industry. According to the information provided, crops can no longer be adequately protected. New active ingredients are not available in time due to approval procedures and administrative hurdles, according to the association's magazine "Der Gemüsebau".

SDA