Onions and shallots market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for fresh onions and shallots in Eastern Asia remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 28 155 and 28 391 thousand tons. In 2018, unusually high prices in China due to adverse weather conditions affected consumer willingness to buy, yet the market volume held steady. The following year, industry-wide technological progress in seed improvement, irrigation, and pest management helped maintain production levels. By 2020, a slight dip in market volume occurred alongside increased industry concentration and competition.

The market rebounded in 2021, with volume reaching 28 555 thousand tons and value surging to $17 802 million, driven by product development focusing on retaining natural bioactive compounds like quercetin and rising consumer demand for healthy, traceable foods. However, in 2022, global supply chain volatility and climate-related production fluctuations led to a decline in both volume and value. The downward trend continued into 2023 as persistently high prices in China dampened consumption, coupled with increased onion exports from European producers.

Throughout the period, the onion industry evolved with emerging segments such as frozen and dehydrated onions, and a shift towards more sustainable farming practices and enhanced processing technologies to meet diverse market needs.

Production onions and shallots in Eastern 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

Eastern Asia's production of onions and shallots saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, output reached its peak at 29 173 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020, production fell slightly to 28 818 thousand tonnes, representing a 1.2% decrease from the previous year. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with a 1.6% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of onions and shallots production in Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, production value peaked at 17 025 million US dollars. By 2020, this had dropped to 15 921 million US dollars, marking a 6.5% reduction compared to 2019. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 7.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production value grew by 3.3%, averaging an annual increase of 1.1%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 937 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a significant 12.5% decrease from the previous year. The lowest export volume during this period was recorded in 2018 at 895 thousand tonnes, while 2019 saw the highest at 1 071 thousand tonnes. The most substantial growth occurred in 2019, with exports increasing by 19.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Asia's onion and shallot exports were distributed across numerous markets. Vietnam accounted for 23.7% of these exports, Malaysia for 9.8%, and Thailand for 6.0%. Together, these three countries represented 39.5% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of onions and shallots exports from Eastern Asia declined. In 2019, export value reached its highest point at 624.8 million US dollars. By 2020, this had fallen to 517.6 million US dollars, representing a 17.2% decrease from the previous year. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2019, with exports growing by 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam remained the largest buyer of Eastern Asian onions and shallots in value terms, accounting for 46.4% of exports. Malaysia followed with 5.3%, and Russia with 4.1%. Collectively, these three markets represented 55.8% 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 Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports onions and shallots to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Eastern Asia's imports of onions and shallots declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 274 thousand tonnes, which was 5.0% lower than in 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.3%, averaging an annual decline of 7.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand was the largest source of onions and shallots imports to Eastern Asia, accounting for 3.7% of total volume. The United States followed with 1.9%, and India with 1.6%. Together, these three countries supplied 7.2% of Eastern Asia's onion and shallot imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of onions and shallots imports to Eastern Asia fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value amounted to 141.1 million US dollars, representing a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value declined by 27.3%, averaging an annual reduction of 10.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Eastern Asia's onion and shallot imports in value terms came from a diverse range of countries. New Zealand accounted for 4.9% of import value, India for 2.9%, and the United States for 2.7%. Together, these three sources represented 10.5% of total import value.

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

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