Onions and shallots market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian onions and shallots market volume grew significantly from 85 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 108 thousand tonnes in 2019. This increase was primarily driven by reduced export pressure as an oversupply on the European market from major producers like the Netherlands and Spain made exports less attractive, keeping more produce within the country. Concurrently, a shift in consumer preferences towards specialty varieties such as shallots, red onions, and organic onions began to reshape domestic demand.

After a slight contraction to 103 thousand tonnes in 2020, the market stabilized around 106 thousand tonnes through 2021 and 2022. Climatic challenges for winter onion crops posed harvest risks, but production continued to expand. The domestic retail sector's strong preference for Austrian produce provided market support. However, in 2023, volume fell sharply to 93.5 thousand tonnes. This drop was directly linked to high sorting losses during the season, which limited the supply of quality onions, and was compounded by international trade disruptions, including export bans in India and Egypt alongside increased Chinese supplies, which affected the broader European market.

Production onions and shallots in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Austria's production of onions and shallots has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 155.3 K t, which is 9.6% higher than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.3%, averaging an annual increase of 2.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 132.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 8.6%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Austria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Austria exported 65 489 t of onions and shallots, marking a 29.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 45.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 31.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria's export destinations for onions and shallots were quite diverse. Hungary accounted for 21.8% of exports, Romania for 14.1%, and Czechia for 10.7%, together making up 46.6% of total flows. The remaining 53.4% went to numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for onions and shallots showed volatility during the observed period. In 2020, Austria's exports amounted to 19 293 K $ US, a decrease of 23.9% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 25 347 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 106.8%, and the overall fluctuation from 2017 to 2019 had a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.3 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria's export structure in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Hungary represented 22.7% of exports, Slovenia 14.4%, and Romania 9.9%, together accounting for 47.0% of total flows. The other 53.0% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Austria

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Austria's imports of onions and shallots declined in 2020. The volume reached 12 905 t, a significant drop of 23.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 23.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 16 804 t, which also saw the largest increase of 41.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy were consistently the top sources for Austria's onion and shallot imports. The Netherlands accounted for 24.2% of imports, Germany for 19.0%, and Italy for 16.3%, together making up 59.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Austria's imports of onions and shallots in value terms fell in 2020. Imports totaled 12 625 K $ US, a sharp decline of 25.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 28%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. The peak value was in 2019 at 16 926 K $ US, which also recorded the largest increase of 40.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main markets for Austria's imports in value terms. Italy represented 26.0% of imports, the Netherlands 21.6%, and Germany 16.6%, together accounting for 64.2% of total flows.

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

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