Market research

Onions and shallots market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for fresh onions and shallots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo fluctuated between 65 000 tons and 74 000 tons. Domestic production remained remarkably stable, edging up only slightly from 55 998 tons to 56 211 tons over the period. The overall market size was primarily shaped by changes in import volumes, which fell sharply to 9 221 tons in 2019 before climbing to a high of 17 585 tons in 2022.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 64 950 tons as imports dropped to 8 739 tons. For 2024, import volumes recovered to 12 630 tons. This increase was supported by a significant drop in prices for onions imported from Europe, which made them more affordable. The market's structural reliance on food imports from neighboring countries like Rwanda and Tanzania remained a key feature, while ongoing conflicts in certain regions continued to affect agricultural production and food availability.

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, 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, 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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo 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, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo 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, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo 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, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

In 2020, Democratic Republic of the Congo produced 56 022 tonnes of onions and shallots, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 55 998 tonnes, with both the largest decline and increase in that year registering at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.0%)	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports onions and shallots from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

Democratic Republic of the Congo's exports of onions and shallots declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, the country exported 3 tonnes, which was 3.4% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports decreased by 51.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(50.2%)	(3.4%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was strongly focused on Uganda, which accounted for 85.9% of total flows, with other partners making up the remaining volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Democratic Republic of the Congo exported onions and shallots worth 2 thousand US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 11.0% from 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports decreased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.9%	(11.0%)	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda and Congo continued to lead the list of markets for exports in value terms, together accounting for 91.4% of total flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports onions and shallots to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Democratic Republic of the Congo imported 13 197 tonnes of onions and shallots, marking a steep increase of 43.1% compared to 2019. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 221 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 14 913 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 38.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.1%	(38.2%)	43.1%	(0.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands remained the dominant partner for imports in kind of onions and shallots to Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a share of 88.9% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the volume of onions and shallots imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo reached 5 881 thousand US dollars, representing a sudden gain of 32.2% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 449 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 7 068 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 37.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.3%	(37.1%)	32.2%	(3.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was centred on the Netherlands, whose share amounted to 88.6% of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io