Heatwave hits French onion supply as Spanish prices remain stable

French open-field onion production has suffered catastrophic losses due to three consecutive heatwaves, with shortages and reduced availability expected in the European market.

French vegetable growers report that three major heatwaves in July have destroyed a substantial proportion of the country's open-field onion crop. The industry body Légumes de France warns that, for onions and other vegetables, losses could reach up to half of France's total annual production. Thousands of tonnes of onions are estimated to have been lost, and several producer organisations face tens of millions of euros in damages.

The shortages in France are expected to impact European markets, as imports are unlikely to fully compensate for the shortfall. Légumes de France notes that, unless significant rainfall occurs within two weeks, resowing and replanting will not be possible due to water shortages. As a result, French onion supply to major importing countries, including Poland, is expected to decrease significantly in the coming weeks.

In Spain, the introduction of new yellow hybrid onion varieties such as Sirio F1 and Centauro F1 is aimed at increasing productivity and improving storage life. These varieties, adapted for the Bajo Guadalquivir region, provide uniform sizes and allow staggered harvesting, potentially supporting stable supply for both domestic and export markets.

Wholesale prices for onions in Spain remain low and stable. At Mercabilbao, the central wholesale market, onion prices for the week of 14–17 July 2026 were reported at €0.40 per kg. This price level suggests continued availability from Spanish producers, contrasting with the anticipated scarcity in France.

French industry representatives have called on buyers and distributors to relax product specifications, warning that visual defects will become more common as supply tightens. This could affect the quality and grading of onions available for export across Europe.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker