Onions and shallots market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Costa Rica expanded from 27 836 tons in 2018 to 48 251 tons in 2023. Growth began in 2019, supported by export sales of red onions to Ecuador and a tariff structure ranging from 1% to 46% that shaped import conditions. A major surge occurred in 2020 when the market volume jumped to 38 109 tons, coinciding with reported red onion production reaching 43 191 tons and an average yield of 17.12 tons per hectare, indicating a boost in domestic supply.

Market growth continued steadily through 2021 to 2023, with volumes rising to 43 317 tons, 46 125 tons, and finally 48 251 tons, respectively. This sustained expansion took place without major reported shifts in regulation, labeling, or new market entrants during these years.

The overall period was characterized by rising domestic output, which served as the primary driver for increased market availability. The existing tariff framework and export activity remained consistent contextual factors throughout the timeline.

Production onions and shallots in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

After two consecutive years of decline, onion and shallot production in Costa Rica rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 36 644 tons, marking a significant 31.4% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 27 877 tons, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2018 when production fell by 26.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports onions and shallots from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The export market demonstrated considerable volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with the peak being 16 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Costa Rica exported 80 tons of onions and shallots, representing an 89.6% decrease year-over-year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 292 tons, which also saw the largest percentage increase of 148.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nicaragua and El Salvador dominated Costa Rica's onion and shallot exports, together accounting for 86.5% of total export volume. Other countries formed a more diversified but less significant portion of the export market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market environment. The period from 2018 to 2020 saw export values fluctuate dramatically, with the peak being 6.9 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Costa Rica's onion and shallot exports were valued at 34.2 thousand US dollars, representing an 80.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 234.2 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest percentage increase of 570.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three countries accounted for the majority of Costa Rica's onion and shallot export value: Nicaragua (50.2%), El Salvador (17.4%), and Honduras (16.2%). Together, these three markets represented 83.7% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels varied significantly between 2018 and 2019, with the 2019 peak being 2.5 times higher than the 2018 low. In 2020, Costa Rica imported {value_last_year} tons of onions and shallots, representing a 2.6% decrease from 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 631 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 587 tons. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 with a 30.3% decrease, while the largest increase happened in 2019 with a 151.6% rise.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States was the dominant source for Costa Rica's onion and shallot imports, accounting for 70.4% of total import volume. Other markets formed a less significant portion of the import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Import values reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with the peak being twice as high as the trough. In 2020, Costa Rica imported 965.1 thousand US dollars worth of onions and shallots, representing a modest 7.0% increase from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 473.6 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest percentage decline of 37.4%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 90.4% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Nicaragua consistently represented 82.6% of Costa Rica's total import value for onions and shallots. This high concentration was accompanied by a long tail of smaller markets with more limited shares.

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

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