The reduction in supply is linked to the cultivation period.

Onion is one of the principal spices in most local and contemporary dishes. The price of the root vegetable has hit the ceiling in Douala with a medium-size selling at between FCFA 150 and FCFA 200 in most markets. In Marché des Oignons, where retailers get their supply, the prices differ slightly since the same onion is sold between FCFA 100 and FCFA 150.

Bello Gariam, a consultant and an onion trader in Marché des Oignons, says the reduction in supply is linked to the cultivation period. “99 per cent of onion comes from the North and the Far North Regions of Cameroon. There is abundance during the cultivation season - February and March. During the season, a bag of 100 kilogramme (kg) sells at between FCFA 25,000 and FCFA 30,000 while during off season, the same quantity is sold at between FCFA 40,000 and FCFA 80,000,” the consultant explained.

During the period of plenty, about eight heavy-duty vehicles arrive Marché des Oignons on a daily basis, giving an estimate of 192 tonnes a month. To Bello Gariam, the supply has reduced to 72 tonnes per month which is insufficient for the population. It is for this reason that onion cultivated in Holland, is imported to bridge the demand/supply gap.

The prices of imported onion, Bello says, are fixed depending on the prices of locally-produced onion. “As at September 11, 2014, the bag of locally-cultivated onion costs FCFA 60,000 while a 25 kg of imported onion sells at FCFA 11,000,” he made known.  It is worthy of note that the local onion consumed till this day, were conserved during the harvest season in February and March 2014.