Dried onions market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, a historically poor onion harvest in Poland limited the availability of raw material for drying, restraining local production of dried onions. Market volume remained moderate but began to grow in 2019, despite persistently low onion prices that reduced processing profitability. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and trade, leading to a decrease in imports and an overall decline in market volume.

After the pandemic, market volume recovered in 2021. By 2022, a global factor—India's export ban on onions—reduced worldwide raw material supply, raised prices and production costs, which temporarily lowered market volume in Poland. However, in 2023, record-high onion prices increased producer margins, stimulating investment in capacity. For example, POLDAR expanded its plant, launching a new fried onion production line, which contributed to a sharp rise in local production and an increase in market volume. Simultaneously, new EU regulations on organic labeling, introduced in 2022 and 2023, began affecting packaging and certification requirements.

In 2024, continued growth in onion cultivation area provided a stable raw material base, but high transport and energy costs put pressure on production expenses. This, along with the entry of new producers such as LuxOnion, intensified competition. Market volume continued to grow, mainly due to increased imports, while local production declined.

Production dried onions in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Poland's dried onion production was valued at 513.3 thousand US dollars, marking a 28.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 43.4%, with an average annual decline of 17.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, at 28.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Poland's dried onion production volume has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 63.0 tonnes of dried onions, representing a sharp 18.2% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 53.7%, with an average annual decline of 22.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried onions from Poland

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. In 2017, exports reached their highest volume, while 2018 saw the lowest, with a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Poland exported 652 tonnes of dried onions, a 2.3% increase year-over-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 601 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 94.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—the United Kingdom, Germany, and France—collectively accounted for 76.0% of Poland's total dried onion exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied by 3.7 times between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Poland exported dried onions worth 1 841 thousand US dollars, a 1.2% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 519 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 73.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (31.6% of export value), Germany (21.6%), and Czechia (12.5%) formed the main cluster of markets for Poland's dried onion exports by value, together representing 65.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried onions to Poland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Poland's dried onion import volume stood at 4 166 tonnes, showing a modest 8.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 51.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 21.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 172 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 63.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 43.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (38.4% of import volume), the Netherlands (23.2%), and Germany (12.3%) were the main sources for Poland's dried onion imports by volume, together accounting for 73.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Poland's dried onion imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 9 433 thousand US dollars, marking a 35.9% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 50.1%, with an average annual increase of 14.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 181 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (44.8% of import value), Egypt (13.3%), and France (13.3%) led the structure of Poland's dried onion imports by value, together representing 71.3% of total flows.

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

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