Onions and shallots market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh onions and shallots in Asia expanded consistently from 67 565 thousand tons in 2018 to 78 548 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was interrupted by a modest contraction to 76 750 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market demonstrated even stronger growth, rising from $31 249 million in 2018 to $51 932 million in 2023, indicating significant price increases over the period.

The market's expansion through 2022 was supported by infrastructure and policy measures in key producing countries like Indonesia. The National Food Agency's focus on supply stabilization included building cold storage and reefer container facilities in production centers, which helped reduce post-harvest losses and improve the availability of fresh produce. Simultaneously, the agency's setting of a reference purchase price for shallots aimed to provide farmers with predictable income, encouraging sustained production. The slight dip in physical volume in 2023 coincided with reported declines in shallot production in major Indonesian provinces such as East Java and Central Java, which tightened domestic supply. Continued exports to neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia further shaped the regional market dynamics.

Production onions and shallots in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Asia's onion and shallot production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 72 084 thousand tonnes, marking a 6.0% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Asia's onion and shallot production value declined in 2020. Output was valued at 34 170 million US dollars, down 5.0% from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 28.8%, averaging 8.8% annually. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 35 977 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 17.4% also recorded that year.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Asia's onion and shallot exports have expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2 389 thousand tonnes, a 15.9% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 36.1%, with an average annual rate of 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Asia's onions and shallots by volume were Russia (6.8% of exports), Asia, not elsewhere specified (1.2%), and Ukraine (0.8%). Together, these markets accounted for 8.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Asia's onion and shallot export value has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 133 million US dollars, up 3.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 59.8%, averaging 16.9% per year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (5.0% of export value), Asia, not elsewhere specified (1.0%), and Ukraine (0.6%) remained the top buyers of Asia's onions and shallots by value. Combined, they represented 6.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's onion and shallot imports by volume fell sharply in 2020, totaling 1 837 thousand tonnes, an 18.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 30.2%, with an average annual drop of 11.3%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 28.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 19.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt (6.3% of import volume), the Netherlands (3.3%), and New Zealand (1.5%) were the leading sources of Asia's onion and shallot imports by volume. Together, they made up 11.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's onion and shallot import value saw a strong increase in 2020, reaching 1 420 million US dollars, up 17.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 2.6%, with an average annual rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 210 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 421 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt (8.3% of import value), the Netherlands (4.5%), and New Zealand (2.8%) were the largest suppliers of onions and shallots to Asia by value, though not dominant. Together, they accounted for 15.6% of total import value, with many smaller partners making up the rest.

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

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