Alliaceous vegetables market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The Chilean alliaceous vegetables market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2021, starting at 387 thousand tons and reaching 426 thousand tons by 2021. A temporary dip in 2019 coincided with maintained high export volumes for onions, which reduced domestic availability. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered consumption patterns, boosting demand for fresh produce for home cooking and supporting market growth. This trend was reinforced in 2021 by a clear shift in consumer preferences toward natural and fresh food products, which increased overall demand for alliaceous vegetables.

After a contraction to 406 thousand tons in 2022, attributed to strong onion exports and ongoing disruptions from the pandemic and the Russia‑Ukraine conflict affecting supply chains, the market rebounded sharply to 454 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery was underpinned by persistently high per‑capita consumption of fresh vegetables and a sustained consumer focus on healthy eating, which kept domestic demand robust.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2018-2021

Chile's production of alliaceous vegetables has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 434.9 thousand tons, marking a 4.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 12.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Chile

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Chile's exports of alliaceous vegetables declined in 2021. Exports totaled 42 969 tons, a sharp drop of 28.2% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 37.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 59 827 tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 at 65.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain were the core markets for Chile's alliaceous vegetable exports in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 30.3% of exports, Mexico for 24.8%, and Spain for 20.5%. Together, these three countries represented 75.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Chile's export value of alliaceous vegetables has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 55 261 thousand US dollars, showing a controlled rise of 5.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 65.3%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, three key markets—Mexico, Brazil, and Spain—absorbed 86.4% of the total export value of alliaceous vegetables from Chile.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Chile

Imports in kind, t

Chile imported 24 356 tons of alliaceous vegetables in 2021, a decrease of 3.9% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 356 tons, while the highest was in 2020 at 35 695 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.5%, and the largest increase was in 2020 at 46.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Peru and China dominated Chile's imports of alliaceous vegetables in volume terms, together accounting for 97.8% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Chile's import value of alliaceous vegetables has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 10 196 thousand US dollars, reflecting an uptick of 6.3% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value increased by 66.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, China accounted for 71.2% of Chile's total import value of alliaceous vegetables, with the rest distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021