Onions and shallots market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Ethiopian onions and shallots market showed considerable fluctuation. Market volume grew to 585.9 тыс. т in 2019, then contracted to 509.6 тыс. т in 2020 and fell sharply to 348.0 тыс. т by 2022, before a slight recovery to 360.6 тыс. т in 2023. This trajectory was shaped by changing levels of domestic production and imports.

The sustained decline in domestic production after 2019 was partly attributed to persistent challenges for smallholder farmers, including limited access to improved seeds, irrigation, and high input costs, which constrained output. A drastic reduction in imports to just 7.1 тыс. т in 2021 further diminished total market supply that year.

Throughout the period, government and research institutions focused on developing improved onion varieties and production technologies to boost yields. However, significant postharvest losses from poor handling and storage continued to limit the volume of onions reaching the market, while weekend markets remained a vital direct sales outlet for many producers.

Production onions and shallots in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Ethiopia produced 470.5 thousand tons of onions and shallots in 2020, representing a 9.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 11.4%, with an average annual decrease of 4.0%. The only year with growth was 2019, when production increased by 0.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Ethiopia's onion and shallot production was valued at 74 274 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 25.0% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the value of production decreased by 19.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 99 087 thousand US dollars, when production value increased by 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

Ethiopia's onion and shallot exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 18 450 tons, marking a 16.6% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volumes rose by 24.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Djibouti was the dominant export partner for Ethiopia's onions and shallots in volume terms, accounting for 83.9% of total exports. Other markets represented relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ethiopia's onion and shallot exports generated 2 912 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a modest 3.1% decrease from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 12.8%, with an average annual growth of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 555 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 3 004 thousand US dollars, when exports surged by 17.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Djibouti was the primary destination for Ethiopia's onion and shallot exports in value terms, representing 86.5% of total export revenue. Other markets contributed much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Ethiopia's onion and shallot imports declined in 2020. Import volume fell to 57 562 tons, a sharp 27.8% decrease compared to 2019. Despite this drop, imports increased by 21.2% over the 2017-2020 period, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 79 767 tons, following a substantial 44.2% increase in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all onion and shallot imports to Ethiopia came from Sudan, which accounted for 99.6% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Ethiopia's onion and shallot import value declined in 2020. Imports totaled 10 021 thousand US dollars, representing a significant 46.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 16.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 18 673 thousand US dollars, after a 34.2% increase in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, Sudan remained the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of onions and shallots to Ethiopia in value terms, accounting for 99.5% of total import value.

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

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