Good quality onion

When sourcing onions, quality is determined by physical integrity and physiological state. Ensure the onions are firm to the touch with multiple layers of dry, papery outer skins (tunic) which protect against moisture loss. Avoid bulbs with soft necks, sprouting, or visible mold at the root base. For B2B standards, the diameter should be uniform (e.g., 50mm+, 70mm+) to meet retail or processing requirements. High-quality onions should have a moisture content below 14% to prevent rot during long-transit maritime shipping.

Agricultural products are strictly regulated. You must ensure the supplier provides a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the exporting country's national plant protection organization. Onions must be free from soil, pests (like onion fly), and diseases (such as white rot). Depending on the destination, compliance with GlobalG.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practices) is highly recommended to ensure food safety and traceability. Always verify Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides to align with the regulations of the importing country (e.g., FDA for USA, EFSA for EU).

For cross-border trade, Yellow Onions and Red Onions are the most popular due to their thick skins and longer shelf life (up to 3-6 months under proper conditions). Sweet onions have higher sugar and water content, making them highly perishable and less suitable for long sea voyages unless using Atmosphere Controlled (CA) containers. Select varieties with a high dry matter content if the end-use is for dehydration or industrial processing.

Standard packaging involves mesh bags (leno bags) of 10kg, 20kg, or 25kg to allow for maximum ventilation. For premium retail clients, jute bags or ventilated cardboard crates may be used. It is critical that the packaging is UV-resistant to prevent degradation during port storage. Ensure all pallets are fumigated and ISPM 15 compliant to avoid customs delays.

The biggest risk is biological spoilage (rotting) due to poor ventilation or temperature fluctuations. To mitigate this, use Reefer Containers set at 0°C to 4°C with 65-70% humidity and a ventilation setting of 15-25 CBM/hr. Another risk is market price volatility; it is wise to use fixed-price contracts or staggered purchasing to hedge against seasonal price spikes.

Focus on transparency regarding the harvest date and storage conditions. Request real-time photos or videos of the current stock and the packing process. Negotiate for a third-party inspection (like SGS or Bureau Veritas) at the loading port to verify weight, size, and quality before final payment. For long-term partnerships, ask for volume-based discounts and priority during peak harvest seasons.

Always use secure payment terms such as Letter of Credit (L/C) or Trade Assurance services provided by reputable platforms like Made-in-China.com. Avoid 100% upfront payments; a standard structure is 30% deposit and 70% against a scanned copy of the Bill of Lading (B/L) and Phytosanitary Certificate. Ensure the Incoterms (e.g., CIF vs FOB) are clearly defined in the contract to establish where the risk transfers.