Market research

Onions and shallots market in Central America

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Central America saw its volume grow from 1 221 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 808 thousand tons in 2023. This upward trend included a dip to 1 256 thousand tons in 2020, followed by strong recoveries in 2021 and 2023.

The production increase to 2 217 thousand tons in 2023 was a primary driver for that year's market expansion. This output was concentrated in key Mexican states such as Baja California, Tamaulipas, and Sonora, which serve as major regional supply hubs. In 2024, ongoing trade activity and factors like rising consumer health consciousness and urbanization continue to support demand growth across the region.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Central America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production onions and shallots in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Central America's production of onions and shallots increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 1,866 thousand tons, marking a 1.4% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,839 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 3.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.5%)	(3.7%)	1.4%	(1.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Central America's production value of onions and shallots declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 948.9 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 13.9%, equating to a 4.4% annualized growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 996.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.2%	9.6%	(4.8%)	4.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports onions and shallots from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Central America's export volume of onions and shallots increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the region exported 798.6 thousand tons, showing a notable 21.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 6.2%, with an annualized decline rate of 2.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 658.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 17.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.3%)	(17.4%)	21.2%	(2.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Central America's export structure for onions and shallots in volume terms, consistently accounting for 93.1% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Central America's export value of onions and shallots amounted to 406.1 million US dollars, representing a strong 13.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 357.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.0%	(6.0%)	13.8%	3.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States accounted for nearly all of Central America's export value for onions and shallots, with a share of 96.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports onions and shallots to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

Central America's import volume of onions and shallots increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 107.6 thousand tons, marking a moderate 8.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 107.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 32.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 61.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(32.2%)	61.6%	8.4%	5.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (54.7% of import volume), the Netherlands (12.7%), and China (1.3%) were the principal suppliers of onions and shallots to Central America, collectively accounting for 68.7% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Central America's import value of onions and shallots amounted to 97.3 million US dollars, reflecting a slight 2.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 29%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 65.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.7%. The highest value was in 2019 at 100.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 53.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.7%)	53.6%	(2.6%)	8.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated Central America's import structure for onions and shallots in value terms, with a share of 72.4% of total flows, while other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io