Onions and shallots market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Africa grew consistently from 2018 to 2023, with total market volume increasing from 16 362 thousand tons to 18 724 thousand tons. Production rose from 16 088 thousand tons to 18 507 thousand tons over the same period. The recovery of local demand following an avian flu outbreak in 2023 supported market growth that year, as consumers adjusted their preferences. In 2024, factors such as favorable climatic conditions and agricultural policies were noted for boosting vegetable production, including onions.

A significant share of onions—55% in South Africa—was distributed through fresh produce markets, highlighting a dominant sales channel. The market structure came under scrutiny when a Competition Commission investigation revealed an oligopoly with entry barriers, affecting competition and pricing. Concurrently, consumption trends shifted toward plant-based and vegan options, which may have underpinned demand for fresh onions.

Early in the period, very low shallot prices—below production costs—impacted producer profitability in 2018. Despite this pressure on margins, market volume continued to expand, reflecting resilient demand and ongoing production increases.

Production onions and shallots in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

World map of production of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

Onion and shallot production in Africa has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Africa produced 17 119 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa exported 547.5 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots in 2020, representing a significant decline of 13.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 29.6%, which equates to an annualized rate of 11.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 404.5 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 48.0%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, with a rise of 56.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the Netherlands were key buyers of African onions and shallots, accounting for 17.5%, 6.2%, and 5.9% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 29.7% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 70.3% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Africa exported onions and shallots worth 314.8 million US dollars, down by 18.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 240.2 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 387.5 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 30.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 61.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export value of onions and shallots from Africa was not heavily concentrated on a few major markets. Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom accounted for 18.6%, 9.0%, and 8.0% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they represented only 35.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, imports of onions and shallots into Africa increased in 2020. Imports totaled 886.4 thousand tonnes, up by 43.6% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 617.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and India were the leading sources for imports in kind of onions and shallots into Africa, with shares of 51.6%, 2.7%, and 1.4%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 55.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, imports of onions and shallots into Africa amounted to 290.8 million US dollars, which is 30.3% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 26.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 223.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.5%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and India dominated the import structure in value terms for onions and shallots into Africa, with shares of 52.1%, 3.1%, and 2.2%, respectively. Collectively, they represented 57.5% of total import flows.

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

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