Onions and shallots market in Angola

Earlier Report Observations

The Angolan market for fresh onions and shallots experienced steady growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume increasing from 604 thousand tons to 616 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by rising domestic production, which reached 606 thousand tons in 2020.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2021, reducing the market to 542 thousand tons. Recovery followed over the next two years, bringing volume to 578 thousand tons by 2023. Throughout this period, imports fell dramatically from 24.8 thousand tons to 2.8 thousand tons, reflecting a growing reliance on local supply.

In 2024, the market was influenced by new regulatory and cost factors. The implementation of Angola's updated Plant Health Law aligned national phytosanitary standards with international conventions, directly affecting agricultural imports and production. Simultaneously, rising prices for fertilizers and seeds increased production costs for local farmers. A government policy requiring public entities to purchase 'Made in Angola' goods further incentivized domestic production. These developments coincided with a continued decline in imports, which fell to 1.4 thousand tons in 2024.

Production onions and shallots in Angola

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Angola's onion and shallot production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 606.0 thousand tons, showing a modest 2.6% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Angola

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility over this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at just 16 tons, while the peak came in 2020 with 613 tons—a staggering 37-fold difference between these two years. This 2020 figure represents a massive 383.2% jump from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 70.4%, whereas the largest increase was seen in 2019 with growth of 675.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Angola's onion and shallot exports were overwhelmingly concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 98.2% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed high volatility during these years. Export values fluctuated dramatically, with the lowest point in 2018 at 28 thousand US dollars and the highest in 2019 at 1 193 thousand US dollars—a 43-fold difference. In 2020, export value dropped sharply to 315 thousand US dollars, down 73.6% from the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 74.5% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with growth of 4 208.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Angola's onion and shallot exports in value terms were almost entirely focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which held a 97.7% share.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Angola

Imports in kind, t

Angola's onion and shallot imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 10 877 tons, down 46.4% year-over-year. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 62.2%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 27.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and Namibia dominated Angola's onion and shallot imports in volume, together accounting for 90.1% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Angola's onion and shallot import values have dropped for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 217 thousand US dollars, marking a steep 40.5% decline compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import values decreased by 66.4%, which averages out to an annualized rate of 30.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, South Africa was the primary supplier of onions and shallots to Angola in value terms, capturing 72.7% of total imports, while other partners had relatively smaller shares.

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

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