Alliaceous vegetables market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

The Ethiopian market for fresh alliaceous vegetables expanded in the late 2010s, reaching 897.9 thousand tons in 2019. This growth was primarily driven by the expansion of irrigation agriculture, which enabled smallholder farmers to boost production even during dry seasons. Supportive government policies that prioritized horticultural crops and exports further reinforced this trend, with cluster farming and irrigated schemes contributing to notable yield improvements by 2019. However, this upward trajectory was abruptly reversed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused domestic vegetable prices to skyrocket and disrupted export channels, leading to a sharp market contraction to 752.1 thousand tons.

The market decline continued through 2021 and 2022, falling to 578.5 thousand tons. A key driver was a dramatic reduction in imports, which plummeted from 58.7 thousand tons in 2020 to just 7.1 thousand tons in 2021, significantly lowering total market supply. During this period, market inefficiencies and persistent postharvest losses also constrained the sector. In response, government initiatives focused on improving cold chain infrastructure and postharvest handling gained momentum, while the emergence of new private exporters like Ethio Vegfru signaled a move towards more sophisticated supply chains.

By 2023, the market showed signs of stabilization, with volume edging up slightly to 583.0 thousand tons. This recovery coincided with increased regulatory attention on quality standards and pesticide residue management, alongside a gradual shift in consumer preferences towards healthier diets supported by public awareness campaigns. The overall period was characterized by initial growth supported by agricultural investment, a severe pandemic-induced disruption, and a subsequent phase of structural adjustments aimed at strengthening the market's foundation.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia ranked as the 29th largest producer of alliaceous vegetables globally.

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's production of alliaceous vegetables declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 713.2 K t, marking a significant year-over-year decrease of 14.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 835.2 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of improvement, Ethiopia's alliaceous vegetables production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 115.2 M $ US, reflecting an abrupt year-over-year decrease of 29.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value dropped by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 162.6 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Ethiopia exported 19 730 t of alliaceous vegetables, up by 13.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 15.9%, with a CAGR of 5.0%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Djibouti was the primary destination for Ethiopia's alliaceous vegetable exports in volume, accounting for 83.5% of total flows, while various smaller markets made up the rest.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Ethiopia's alliaceous vegetables export value stood at 3 186 K $ US, showing a modest year-over-year decrease of 6.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.9%, with a CAGR of -2.0%. The peak value was in 2019 at 3 395 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Djibouti was the key buyer of alliaceous vegetables from Ethiopia in value terms, taking 79.5% of total exports, with a diverse group of other countries accounting for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of increase, Ethiopia's alliaceous vegetables import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 58 672 t, showing a sharp 26.7% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 23.3%, with a CAGR of 7.2%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 80 098 t, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 44.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan accounted for nearly all of Ethiopia's alliaceous vegetable imports in volume, with a share of 99.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, Ethiopia's alliaceous vegetables import value declined. In 2020, imports reached 10 899 K $ US, corresponding to a 42.5% drop over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.7%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 18 959 K $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 32.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017-2020, Sudan remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of alliaceous vegetables to Ethiopia in value terms, accounting for 98.4% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020