Onions and shallots market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for fresh onions and shallots expanded from 8.7 million metric tons in 2018 to over 11 million metric tons by 2021. This growth period began with extreme summer drought in Germany pressuring yields, followed by a 2019 regulatory ban on chemically-treated onion seed which altered production costs. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 required significant logistics adaptations across supply chains. In 2021, the Netherlands reached a one-million-ton onion export milestone earlier in the season, reinforcing European supply, while global freight cost spikes affected import prices.

Market volume contracted sharply to 8.5 million metric tons in 2022, driven by high European inventories and reported oversupply which depressed prices. A forecast reduction in Dutch cultivation area signaled tighter future supply, and consumer spending per purchase rose, indicating greater price sensitivity. Recovery followed in 2023 as volume jumped to 11.4 million metric tons; unfavorable weather—a cold, wet spring and hot, dry summer—lowered yields and raised defect rates in Germany, but ample existing stocks and strong import flows fueled the rebound.

Entering 2024, the market remains under persistent oversupply pressure with EU-wide high inventory levels and low prices. Extreme weather in Italy has impaired the quality and availability of yellow onions, while France reports a shortage of large-caliber onions, adding storage and sorting costs that influence retail prices. These conditions sustain a market split between fresh and industrial onion segments.

Production onions and shallots in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Europe's production of onions and shallots has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 10 562 K t, marking a 2.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 027 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 14.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest growth, with production rising by 13.7%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Europe's exports of onions and shallots fell sharply in 2020, totaling 1 822 K t, a 30.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 32.6%, averaging an annual decline of 12.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's exports of onions and shallots in volume terms were distributed across a wide range of partners. Senegal accounted for 6.8% of exports, Côte d'Ivoire for 4.3%, and Guinea for 2.5%, together making up just 13.7% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Europe's exports of onions and shallots in value terms declined in 2020. The region exported 1 338 M $ US, a modest decrease of 6.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 41.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.2%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 1 423 M $ US, following the largest increase of 27.5% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Europe's exports of onions and shallots in value terms were spread across many countries. Senegal contributed 4.7% of exports, Côte d'Ivoire 2.2%, and Guinea 1.7%, with these three partners together representing only 8.6% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Europe's imports of onions and shallots in volume terms decreased in 2020. The region imported 2 253 K t, an 8.4% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 25.6%, averaging an annual increase of 7.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 253 K t, which also saw the largest growth of 21.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Europe's imports of onions and shallots in volume terms were not highly concentrated. Egypt supplied 8.8% of imports, New Zealand 3.8%, and China 2.9%, with these three countries together accounting for just 15.5% of the total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, Europe's imports of onions and shallots in value terms fell in 2020. Imports totaled 1 179 M $ US, a significant year-over-year decline of 24.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 19.4%, with an average annual rate of 6.1%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 1 567 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 40.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, New Zealand, and China were the top suppliers of onions and shallots to Europe in value terms, with shares of 10.3%, 4.9%, and 2.2%, respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to 17.5% of total import value, indicating a diversified supplier structure.

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

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