Onion: How to Produce Quality and Compete Efficiently in the National Market

The onion is the second most consumed condiment in Brazil — with production of over 1.5 million tons per year, concentrated in São Paulo, Santa Catarina, and Bahia. It is one of the crops with the highest price fluctuation in the Brazilian agribusiness — which creates both risk and opportunity for those who produce efficiently and store during the off-season.

Certified organic onion has a premium of 50 to 100% over conventional onion. Dehydrated onion flakes, artisanal fried onion, and onion vinaigrette are high-value products that transform the surplus of the harvest into income during the off-season.

When onions are cultivated with the correct varieties for the target market and stored properly, this segment can contribute significantly to job and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions to implement the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research encompass 20 chains and 255 segments of the national agribusiness — from the grain chain to sustainable extraction, through horticulture, fruit growing, livestock, and much more.

The Innovation for Brazil to Produce More series was developed precisely to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and around the world, in the 255 segments of the agricultural sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, governments, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to produce quality onions and maximize returns through storage and processing

The onion sold at peak supply (January to April) is worth 30 to 50% less than the one sold in the off-season (July to November). Producers with dry and ventilated storage facilities capture this difference without additional costs.

✔    Varieties by market: Baia Periforme (Northeast), Crioula (SC), Vale Ouro (SP)

✔    Dry and ventilated storage — essential for off-season selling

✔    Correct post-harvest curing — reduces losses from 30% to less than 5%

✔    Certified organic onions — premium of 50 to 100% with growing demand

✔    PRONAF and state lines for onion growers

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for the Small Rural Producer presents, in detail, the best solutions for this sector and another 254 in Brazilian agribusiness — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0.   Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What equipment does the onion chain require

The onion requires storage sheds with forced ventilation and dehydrators for high-value processing.

Solutions by area of applied engineering for the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical and Computer Engineering — forced ventilation systems for onion storage;

Electronics and IoT Engineering — temperature and humidity sensors in onion sheds;

Control and Automation Engineering — onion dehydrators for flakes and powder;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — industrial fryers for fried onion;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for shed ventilation and processing;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — stock management and sales decision by price.

✔    Sheds with forced ventilation for onion storage

✔    Temperature and humidity sensors for storage sheds

✔    Onion dehydrators for artisanal flakes and powder

✔    Fryers for artisanal fried onion

✔    Sorting machines for onions by size

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps, segment by segment, business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services.   Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the municipality can support onion cultivation and create an artisanal processing hub

Municipalities in SC, SP, and BA see onion as the main source of income for family agriculture — and a manager who supports collective storage and artisanal processing multiplies the producer's income during the off-season.

✔    Municipal collective storage shed for onions

✔    PNAE with local organic onion for school meals

✔    Support for processing dehydrated and artisanal fried onion

✔    Municipal IDM: onions stored and processed locally

✔    Onion Festival — regional identity and tourism

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments outlines the step-by-step process for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agribusiness.   Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Retailers

How onions generate business for artisanal processors and distributors

The artisanal fried onion is the fastest growing product in the market for toppings for artisanal burgers and premium barbecues. A 100g package sold for R$ 12 to R$ 20 has raw material costing R$ 0.50.

The dehydrated onion in flakes or powder has a growing market in artisanal seasonings — consumers pursuing gourmet cooking at home seek natural ingredients without additives, and artisanal dehydrated onions with identified origins are exactly that.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:

Artisanal fried onion — premium topping experiencing high growth;

Dehydrated onion in flakes and powder — high-margin artisanal seasoning;

Certified organic onion — premium of 50 to 100%;

Artisanal onion vinaigrette — gourmet condiment for restaurants;

Caramelized onion jelly — premium gastronomic product;

Onion for PNAE — guaranteed institutional purchase.

Merchant profiles and their specific opportunities

✔    Processors: artisanal fried and dehydrated onion — high growth and high margin

✔    Distributors: onions for supermarkets and restaurants

✔    Artisanal burger establishments: local fried onion as premium topping

✔    Stores: onion jelly and artisanal seasonings

✔    Digital platforms: artisanal fried and dehydrated onion

✔    PNAE: local organic onion for school meals

Growth strategies for the local merchant

The onion processor who excels in artisanal fried onion for burger places has a product with extremely high growth — the artisanal burger market is one of the fastest growing in Brazil, and quality fried onion is the differentiator that every premium burger place desires. An oven costing R$ 3,000 produces 10 kg/day of fried onion with revenue of R$ 1,500 to R$ 2,000/day.

The Pronampe and PRONAF cover the shed and equipment. SEBRAE subsidizes certification and access to premium retail.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Agricultural Product Merchant maps 30 merchant profiles and details growth opportunities in all 255 segments of agribusiness.   Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By acquiring any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups with 30 members can organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and globally.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Companies

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Agricultural Product Merchants

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Sincerely,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Faculty: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering