Onions and shallots market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Eastern Europe grew from 3 987 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 4 537 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was driven by a significant increase in domestic production, which rose from 3 730 to 4 137 thousand tonnes over the two years. A key development in 2019 was the Russian Federation's ban on imports of fresh or chilled shallots from Turkey, effective January 1, which reshaped import sources. Despite this restriction, total import volume surged to 756 thousand tonnes that year, indicating a swift reorientation of supply chains.

After 2020, the market entered a phase of adjustment, with volume declining to 4 219 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 4 172 thousand tonnes in 2022. This contraction coincided with a drop in production to 3 868 and 3 678 thousand tonnes, respectively. Imports remained volatile, peaking at 721 thousand tonnes in 2022 before falling back. By 2023, the market showed signs of recovery, with volume reaching 4 249 thousand tonnes as production climbed back to 3 883 thousand tonnes.

Production onions and shallots in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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 Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its onion and shallot production volume grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4,137 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 7.9% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,730 thousand tonnes, when output fell by 12.4%—the largest drop in the period.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of onion and shallot production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. Output was valued at $1,974 million, down 18.6% from 2019. Over the full 2017–2020 period, production value increased by 6.3%, averaging 2.1% growth per year. The peak value occurred in 2019 at $2,426 million, when production surged by 22.8%—the largest increase observed.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased its volume of onion and shallot exports for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 236.4 thousand tonnes, a modest 6.4% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew significantly by 74.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported onions and shallots to a diverse range of partners. The top three destinations—the United Kingdom (14.7% of export volume), the Netherlands (14.5%), and France (4.5%)—together accounted for just 33.8% of total exports, indicating a broad distribution across many countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of onion and shallot exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, export value reached $112.8 million, a 19.7% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $140.5 million, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 83.2%. Overall, export values varied significantly, with a 2.4-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2017.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (23.6% of export value), the Netherlands (20.9%), and France (6.8%) formed the core of Eastern Europe's onion and shallot exports by value. Together, these three countries represented 51.2% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports onions and shallots to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported 756.1 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots, a 15.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 13.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 460.5 thousand tonnes, when imports fell by 18.3%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 756.1 thousand tonnes, marking a substantial 64.2% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of onions and shallots into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) came from a wide array of countries. The top three suppliers—the Netherlands (25.1% of import volume), Egypt (12.6%), and China (8.5%)—jointly accounted for 46.1% of total imports, reflecting a diversified sourcing pattern.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of onion and shallot imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports were valued at $233.7 million, down 22.0% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $169.8 million, while the peak occurred in 2019 at $299.7 million, when imports jumped by 76.5%. Overall, import values fluctuated considerably, with a 1.8-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (29.9% of import value), Egypt (13.4%), and China (9.1%) were the primary suppliers of onions and shallots to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Together, these three countries accounted for 52.5% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020