Farmers in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region are completing the onion harvest, expecting a total yield of about 850,000 tons, nearly 300,000 tons more than last year. The region remains the country’s key onion producer, accounting for around 70% of Kazakhstan’s total output.

This season, onions were planted on more than 17,000 hectares, mainly in the Shusk, Kordai, and Zhambyl districts. The harvest is nearly complete, with 99% of crops already collected and sent to storage facilities. Farmer Kuanysh Sadiyev, who cultivated 40 hectares, gathered around 3,000 tons. He noted that the use of Dutch and Italian seed varieties helps ensure long storage life through winter.

Around 1,500 vegetable growers are engaged in onion cultivation across the region. Kazakhstan’s domestic consumption is estimated at roughly 400,000 tons per year, while Zhambyl’s output exceeds that figure by more than double, creating significant export potential.

The surplus is exported to markets in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and, in some cases, as far as Spain. According to the regional agriculture department, sales remain stable, though some farmers are holding back due to lower field prices, currently around 45–50 tenge per kilogram (€0.07), near production cost. A price of 65–70 tenge (€0.11) is considered more sustainable.

Farmers were provided with over 4,000 tons of subsidized diesel fuel for the harvest and continue to adopt water-saving irrigation systems. Drip irrigation is now used on 66,000 hectares across the region, improving efficiency and supporting one of Kazakhstan’s most productive onion-growing areas.

Source: Телеканал 24kz