Egyptian onion exporters turn to Turkey after 100,000-ton production decline
A roughly 100,000-ton decline in Turkish onion production has increased demand for Egyptian supplies. The opportunity offers partial relief as Egypt’s fresh onion exports fall amid weaker European demand, Gulf competition and higher freight costs.
Turkish shortage opens a new sales channel
Turkey has become one of the leading destinations for Egyptian onions this season after its domestic production declined by about 100,000 tonnes. Ahmed Sobhi, deputy head of the Agricultural Export Committee at the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association, told Al Borsa that Turkish buyers had increased imports from Egypt since May to cover consumer requirements.
The additional business provides an outlet for Egyptian growers and exporters, but industry executives said it would not fully offset weaker sales elsewhere. Egypt’s fresh onion exports fell 26.8% in the first half of the current year to about 123,000 tonnes, from 168,000 tonnes in the same period of 2025—a decline of roughly 45,000 tonnes.
Individual suppliers are already returning to Turkey. Ahmed Koura, chairman of Al Andalusia Agricultural Crops, said his company exported 450 tonnes, equivalent to 15-20 containers, to Turkey for the first time in 12 years. He linked the Turkish crop shortage to climate change. Haytham El-Saadany, chairman of Sadat Agro Fruit, said his company shipped 20 containers of golden onions to Turkey within one week, at an export price of $370 per tonne including freight.
Europe and Gulf markets remain difficult
Large European inventories have reduced demand for Egyptian onions, particularly golden varieties. El-Saadany said one European customer had contacted his company for only a single container, well below customary volumes. The challenge has been compounded by a 20%-40% increase in ocean freight costs to Europe.
In the Gulf, Indian and Pakistani onions are competing strongly on price, durability and colour. Sobhi said Gulf countries currently account for 30%-50% of Egyptian red onion exports, led by Saudi Arabia and demand associated with Hajj and Umrah travel. El-Saadany, however, said Saudi Arabia had stopped importing Egyptian onions as it expanded domestic cultivation. Gulf markets also re-export surplus Indian onions to Lebanon, Iraq and Syria.
Overland transport costs have further weakened Egyptian competitiveness. According to Sobhi, the cost of sending a 25-tonne truck to Gulf countries first rose from $4,000 to $5,000 and now stands at $8,000-$9,000. Egyptian onion export prices range from $350 to $400 per tonne, depending on size, variety and distance.
Exporters seek more destinations
Egypt has extensive onion-growing areas in Dakahlia and Gharbia in the Nile Delta; Sohag, Beni Suef and Fayoum in Upper Egypt; and desert land in the oases and Giza. Koura said expanded acreage had lifted production above the level of foreign demand, making new markets necessary to absorb available volumes. His company plans to increase exports by 50% to existing destinations, particularly Africa, Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The Agriculture Ministry has also worked to open Vietnam, Pakistan and Uruguay to Egyptian onions, although orders remain limited. Exporters said the season, which begins in September, is still at an early stage, leaving room for demand to improve. For now, sustained Turkish purchases could redirect part of Egypt’s surplus, but the wider export result will still depend on European inventories, Gulf competition and transport costs.
