Onion producers from the Azuero region have reached an agreement with the Agro-Marketing Institute (IMA) for the purchase and marketing of approximately 10 thousand quintals of national onion. This measure aims to stabilize the market and alleviate the accumulation of the product in warehouses. Edwin Pérez, spokesman for the onion growers, explained that this volume corresponds to the current surplus production, which will be distributed through the stores and fairs that IMA develops throughout the country. 'The product is totally dry and of high quality, it has nothing to ask of imported onion,' highlighted Pérez, while reiterating the call to the National Government to strengthen agricultural infrastructure and move towards self-sufficiency in this sector. The onion will be offered at 40 cents per pound, below the estimated production cost of 50 cents, which represents an effort by the producers to facilitate access to the food for the population, although it directly impacts their income. The distribution of the product is expected to be available in the different IMA sales points throughout the country from this same week, according to sector authorities. This agreement represents a relief for the sector, which had been storing large volumes of onion, generating concern over possible losses. To this situation is added the increase in the price of fuel, which has increased production and marketing costs. Producers trust that this measure will contribute to stabilizing prices and dynamizing the sale of the national product in the market.
