Onions and shallots market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for onions and shallots in Bulgaria contracted from 71 thousand tonnes to 53 thousand tonnes, primarily due to a sharp decline in domestic production. In 2019, exports of these vegetables more than doubled, reducing domestic availability, while rising imports of fresh vegetables, including alliums, increased competitive pressure on local growers.

After a minor recovery to 53 thousand tonnes in 2021, the market declined again to 51 thousand tonnes in 2022. During this period, updated quality and control requirements for fresh fruits and vegetables came into force, tightening market standards. Producers also faced unfair competition from imports, particularly from Turkey, and high heating costs that constrained winter production. Global factors, such as climate change and export bans in major supplying countries like India, added pressure on supply chains and spurred a search for alternative sources and technologies.

In 2023, domestic production surged by 42% to 39 thousand tonnes, driving a significant market rebound to 61 thousand tonnes, bringing volumes close to the levels seen in 2019.

Production onions and shallots in Bulgaria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Bulgaria's production of onions and shallots has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 28 440 tonnes, which represents a 9.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 44.4% to reach a peak of 41 800 tonnes. However, the following year saw the steepest decline, with production falling by 24.9% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Bulgaria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports onions and shallots from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

The export market for onions and shallots from Bulgaria showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, while they peaked in 2019 at 1 262 tonnes, creating a 4.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports dropped to 690 tonnes, marking a significant 45.3% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial annual increase was recorded in 2018, when exports surged by 148.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Bulgaria's onion and shallot exports in volume terms were Romania, Hungary, and Greece. Romania accounted for 25.0% of exports, Hungary for 24.2%, and Greece for 22.5%. Together, these three countries represented 71.8% of Bulgaria's total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's onion and shallot exports in value terms reached 447 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 24.7% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 396 thousand US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 594 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase was in 2019, with a rise of 50.1%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for Bulgaria's onion and shallot exports in value terms were Romania, Greece, and Italy. Romania absorbed 28.2% of exports, Greece 17.8%, and Italy 15.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 61.5% of Bulgaria's total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two consecutive years, Bulgaria's imports of onions and shallots in volume terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 25 025 tonnes, which is 26.7% lower than the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 34 119 tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with imports rising by 19.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key suppliers of onions and shallots to Bulgaria in volume terms were Turkey, Poland, and Germany. Turkey provided 25.9% of imports, Poland 16.7%, and Germany 16.6%. Together, these three countries made up 59.3% of Bulgaria's total import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, Bulgaria's imports of onions and shallots in value terms decreased. In 2020, imports stood at 4 969 thousand US dollars, marking a 32.8% drop compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 7 391 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase was in 2018, with a rise of 67.9%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 41.5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 12.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Turkey were the leading sources for Bulgaria's onion and shallot imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 18.7% of imports, Poland for 18.2%, and Turkey for 17.7%. Combined, these three markets represented 54.7% of Bulgaria's total import value during this timeframe.

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

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