The onion market is highly variable internationally, with prices and supply varying according to geographic region and conditions. North America , in particular , is seeing stronger prices as onion supply areas shift. Despite the increased price, supply remains good for all sizes and colors as yields and acreage in growing areas remain relatively stable. On the contrary, in China , the situation is less favorable. Since last October, the price of onions has remained unusually high, reaching levels not seen in the last two decades. Adverse weather conditions have adversely affected the quality and shelf life of onions, while high prices have reduced consumer demand. In the Philippines , the agriculture department has approved the import of 16,000 tons of yellow onions to meet market needs. In South Africa , the average price of onions remains on a downward trend, as a result of the fall in prices last season. On the other hand, Egyptian growers reacted to last year's higher prices, shortages and export ban by increasing production. By planting more onions, producers increased the harvest by 1 million tons from last season, resulting in lower prices. As for Europe, in Italy the situation is complicated with the weather causing "patchy" damage. In some areas, quality and yields are good, while in others there are problems with yields and storage. Germany struggles with quality problems. Wholesale onion prices are much lower than last year's levels, whether domestic or imported. In Austria , where the harvest is currently in full swing, export demand is increasing from Southeast and Eastern Europe. The opposite is true for the Netherlands where the onion market does not show a positive climate, with prices being particularly low. In Israel, the main onion harvest has begun, with imports from the Netherlands supplementing local production.