Onions and shallots market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, onion production in Belarus decreased by 8.2% compared to the previous year, leading to a rise in wholesale and retail prices. This reduction in supply, coupled with lower stocks, continued into 2019, when production fell to 195.2 thousand tons and prices more than doubled. The decline in domestic output contributed to a drop in market volume to 202.5 thousand tons in 2019, despite a significant increase in imports.

Production rebounded in 2020, reaching 211.5 thousand tons, and the market size grew to 223.0 thousand tons. Growth continued in the following years, with production exceeding 235 thousand tons by 2022. This expansion occurred alongside shifts in trade with Russia: a 7.1% reduction in Russian onion sown areas in 2021 and a sharp 60.5% drop in Russian onion exports to Belarus in early 2022 affected import flows. Simultaneously, record-high global onion prices in 2022 added further pressure on the market.

By 2023, the market volume stabilized at approximately 245 thousand tons, with a slight decrease to 244.9 thousand tons. Production remained high at 237.7 thousand tons, while imports and exports stayed at moderate levels.

Production onions and shallots in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, onion and shallot production in Belarus rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 211.5 thousand tons of onions and shallots, marking an 8.4% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 12.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 195.2 thousand tons, while the sharpest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018, when output decreased by 11.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, the value of onion and shallot production in Belarus saw an upturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 41 822 thousand US dollars, representing a 22.8% increase over the previous year. Despite this recent growth, production value decreased by 2.9% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 34 058 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year decrease of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

The export market for onions and shallots from Belarus showed significant volatility during the observed period. In 2020, Belarus exported 2 807 tons, which represents a dramatic 90.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 28 044 tons, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 190.6%. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2020 was tenfold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia dominated Belarus's onion and shallot exports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 35.2% of exports, Ukraine for 27.0%, and Russia for 19.3%. Together, these three countries represented 81.5% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of onion and shallot exports from Belarus showed considerable volatility. In 2020, export value totaled 555 thousand US dollars, representing an 88.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak was reached in 2019 at 4 894 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 176.2%. The difference between the 2019 peak and the 2020 low was 8.8 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Poland, Russia, and Ukraine—collectively accounted for 76.8% of the total value of onion and shallot exports from Belarus.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

Belarus's imports of onions and shallots showed an unstable trend during the observed period. In 2020, the country imported 10 010 tons, which represents a 59.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 35 417 tons, while the lowest was in 2018 at 10 010 tons. The difference between the 2019 peak and the 2018 low was 3.5 times. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2018 at 70.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 253.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, and Poland were the leading sources for onion and shallot imports to Belarus in volume terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 23.7% of imports, the Netherlands for 18.0%, and Poland for 17.3%. Together, these three countries represented 59.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of onion and shallot imports to Belarus exhibited volatility throughout the period. In 2020, imports were valued at 6 640 thousand US dollars, marking a 23.1% decrease from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 951 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year decline of 71.4%. The peak occurred in 2017, with the difference between the 2017 high and the 2018 low being 3.5 times. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 74.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Ukraine formed the key group of partners for onion and shallot imports to Belarus in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 35.5% of imports, Poland for 23.5%, and Ukraine for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 72.1% of total import flows.

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

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