Marketing Constraints and Price Perspectives for Onion in Khost Province, Afghanistan

Abstract

The study was undertaken in the three districts of Yaqubi and Sabari, Mando Zayi and Bak of Khost province, Afghanistan, with the aim of evaluating marketing constraints, marketable surplus, intermediaries, and consumer perceptions regarding the price of onions. Despite its substantial influence on the economy and people's livelihoods, Afghanistan's onion marketing system has gotten insufficient attention. Onion prices in Afghanistan were volatile, which has a huge influence on the economy and people's capacity to buy basic foods. Data was collected from 120 farmers, 120 consumers, 30 wholesalers, and 30 retailers across the province. The study's main constraints faced by farmers in marketing onions included the majority of farmers 71.70 percent agreed that storage facilities were perceived to be expensive. 87.5 percent of respondents strongly agree that the lack of storage facilities was a major issue. Price changes were the biggest issue for customers, as 84.20 percent of respondents agreed. Limited market access was cited as a problem by 71.70 percent of respondents. The main constraint for wholesalers was the absence of facilities for grading onions, with 60.70 Lack of storage facilities was another key obstacle, resulting in 63.30 percent and No organizations (Councils) being available; 86.70 percent was a similar result for retailers too. The average onion production per Jerib of land was found to be 2386.16 kg/Jerib. Only 9.96% of the onion yield was used for domestic consumption, leaving the producers with a marketable surplus of 90.03%. Fluctuations in onion prices throughout different seasons were primarily attributed to the absence of proper storage facilities. The study has indicated that consumers tend to perceive the selling price of onions during the off-season as significantly higher than its on-season average price. The average price of onions during the off-season was 66.33 Afghanis per kilogram, whereas it was 22.16 Afghanis during the on-season. This indicated a significant price difference between the two seasons.