Onions and shallots market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the domestic market volume for onions and shallots contracted significantly, dropping from 607 thousand tons to 463 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by a surge in exports, which was facilitated by the simplification of quality and health certification procedures introduced in 2019 and the entry of new private exporters. Additionally, a drought in the Río Colorado region in 2020 constrained production, further reducing available supply for the local market.

The trend reversed in 2022 when market volume rebounded to 521 thousand tons. Overproduction occurred due to reduced Brazilian imports and ongoing water issues in the Río Colorado, leading to an oversupply that pushed more product onto the domestic market. This coincided with the implementation of mandatory quality conformity for exports and the opening of new export channels to Paraguay under specific health measures.

In 2023, market volume stabilized at 528 thousand tons. Cultivated area expanded in Río Negro, boosting production, while sustained Brazilian demand continued to shape export flows. Throughout the period, regulatory evolution, including the adoption of a MERCOSUR technical quality regulation and updated fresh vegetable packaging rules, reinforced quality standards for both domestic and export markets.

Production onions and shallots in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina was among the world's leading producers of onions and shallots from 2017 to 2020, ranking 29th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Onion and shallot production in Argentina declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 667.3 K t, marking a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 685.5 K t, which represented a 3.0% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when output fell by 1.7%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

Argentina's exports of onions and shallots increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 191.4 K t, a gain of 13.8% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 455.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 77.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Paraguay together formed the main group of buyers for Argentina's onions and shallots, accounting for 99.3% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina exported 28 572 K $ US of onions and shallots, representing a 7.0% fall from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 30 722 K $ US, following the largest increase of 241.8% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with Brazil alone responsible for 92.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports in volume terms reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Argentina's volume of onions and shallots imports amounted to 12.7 K t, indicating a steep increase of 276.2% over the past year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3.4 K t, when imports saw the largest decline of 65.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the key and almost sole market for imports in volume of onions and shallots to Argentina, accounting for 91.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports in value terms bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, showing a 7.2-fold swing. In 2020, Argentina's onions and shallots imports stood at 5 416 K $ US, showing a dramatic rise of 618.6% from a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 754 K $ US, when imports experienced the largest decline of 61.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the dominant direction for imports in value terms, with a share of 87.0% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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