Onions and shallots market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Czechia fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, rising from 106 635 tonnes to a peak of 115 574 tonnes in 2020 before dipping to 102 951 tonnes in 2022 and recovering to 114 219 tonnes in 2023. This recovery was underpinned by a sharp increase in domestic production, which reached 58 520 tonnes in 2023, while imports gradually declined to 61 519 tonnes.

Market growth in 2023 was driven by a 5% rise in household expenditure on chilled foods from March 2023 to March 2024, fueled by higher purchase volumes and moderate price increases. Concurrently, shifts in dietary habits and growing consumer interest in healthier lifestyles bolstered demand for chilled vegetable products, including onions and shallots.

In 2024, imports surged to 76 469 tonnes, indicating sustained demand. This increase aligns with the expansion of online grocery shopping, which grew by 10 percentage points between 2018 and 2024, broadening distribution channels. Consumer preference for healthier and more sustainable food options continued to support the market, while onion prices remained favorable at around 23 CZK per kilogram, below the 2019 peak of 40 CZK.

Production onions and shallots in Czechia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Czechia's production of onions and shallots has grown for the second year in a row. In 2019, output stood at 44 600 tonnes, then surged by 21.6% to reach 52 860 tonnes in 2020. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 28.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 36 700 tonnes, which marked an 11.0% decrease from the previous year.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Czechia's exports of onions and shallots have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2019, exports totaled 5 263 tonnes, but dropped by 8.0% to 4 842 tonnes in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, export volumes declined by 60.8%, with an average annual decrease of 26.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia was the primary destination for Czechia's onion and shallot exports in volume terms, accounting for 83.0% of the total. Other markets played a more limited role in the export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Czechia's onion and shallot exports in value terms also declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 4 705 thousand US dollars, then fell by 22.3% to 3 654 thousand US dollars in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 16.0%, with an average annual decline of 5.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when export value rose by 23.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia dominated Czechia's onion and shallot exports in value terms, representing 86.8% of the total. The remaining share was spread across several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Czechia's imports of onions and shallots in volume terms have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2019, imports were 68 800 tonnes, then edged down by 1.8% to 67 556 tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 span, import volumes contracted by 19.3%, with an average annual reduction of 6.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland were the leading suppliers of onions and shallots to Czechia in volume terms. Germany accounted for 26.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 25.0%, and Poland for 13.2%. Together, these three countries made up 64.6% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Czechia's imports of onions and shallots in value terms declined. In 2019, import value reached a high of 39 118 thousand US dollars, then plummeted by 33.2% to 26 141 thousand US dollars in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 43.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 12.8%. The largest rise was in 2019, with a 46.8% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy were the key sources for Czechia's onion and shallot imports in value terms. The Netherlands contributed 25.6% of import value, Germany 20.7%, and Italy 11.7%. Combined, these three markets represented 57.9% of total import value.

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

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