Red Onion Harvest Floods Market, Prices Plummet in Bantul, Indonesia

A large‑scale red onion harvest in the Pansela sand‑field area of Bantul has led to a sharp decline in farm‑gate prices. Farmers report that the price for onions has fallen to about Rp15,000 per kilogram, down from roughly Rp25,000 at the start of the season.

The price drop is attributed to simultaneous harvests across major producing regions—including Central Java, East Java and parts of Sulawesi—creating a surplus that outstrips market demand. Farmer Andika Nur Cholis noted that while yields are satisfactory, the market conditions have squeezed profit margins. He also highlighted that the use of electric irrigation systems has lowered production costs, helping farmers avoid larger losses despite the low prices.