Onions and shallots market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Central Asia experienced a notable contraction in 2019, with volume falling to 2 509 thousand tons. This decline was primarily linked to low growth rates in agricultural production, which constrained domestic supply. Subsequently, the market entered a period of recovery and steady expansion, reaching 2 886 thousand tons by 2023.

This growth phase was supported by infrastructure development and shifts in supply sources. The commissioning of a new industrial-logistical trade center in Osh in 2020 improved product distribution and market access. Furthermore, increased import dependency contributed to market volume in 2022, while the introduction of new varieties and segments of vegetables and fruits in 3 helped diversify the offer and stimulate consumption.

Production onions and shallots in Central 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

In 2020, Central Asia produced 2 905 thousand tons of onions and shallots, marking a 2.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 257 thousand tons, representing a significant 25.8% increase. However, in 2019, production saw its largest decline of 13.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, Central Asia's onions and shallots production value experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 631.5 million US dollars, a decrease of 12.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 7.6%, averaging an annual decline of 2.6%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 723.2 million US dollars, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 3.3% rise.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia exported 284.3 thousand tons of onions and shallots, representing a sharp contraction of 24.1% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 374.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 183.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were among the largest buyers of onions and shallots from Central Asia in terms of volume, accounting for 20.6%, 6.7%, and 6.6% of exports, respectively. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 34.0% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited significant fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied 4.9-fold, with the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, onions and shallots shipments from Central Asia totaled 61 825 thousand US dollars, showing a drop of 35.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 95 617 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 232.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Ukraine, and Pakistan were key buyers of onions and shallots from Central Asia in value terms, with shares of 23.3%, 10.1%, and 6.8% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for just 40.2% of total export value, reflecting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 74-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Central Asia's volume of onions and shallots imports was 0.7 thousand tons, showing a dramatic decrease of 98.5% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 997.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Iran and Russia were the top sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 1.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, onions and shallots imports into Central Asia totaled 21 891 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate drop of 6.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 23 418 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Russia, and Pakistan stood out as the main sources for imports in value terms, with shares of 1.8%, 0.7%, and 0.5% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 3.0% of total import flows.

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

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