Onions and shallots market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Finland showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. The market volume expanded from 38.7 thousand metric tons in 2018 to a first peak of 52.4 thousand metric tons in 2019, then contracted over the next two years before surging again to 56.0 thousand metric tons in 2022. The period ended with a notable decrease to 42.9 thousand metric tons in 2023.

The market's strong performance in 2022 coincided with a shift in Finnish consumer preferences toward specific onion varieties. Shallots and red onions gained significant popularity, driven by their use in home cooking and appreciation in French cuisine, which raised overall demand. This trend increased imports of these varieties from Southern Europe. Concurrently, occasional gaps in domestic onion supply, due to variable harvests and storage outcomes, further amplified the need for imported onions to meet consumption, contributing to the higher total market volume that year.

Prior to 2022, the market had already seen a major increase in 2019, followed by a decline in 2020 and a modest recovery in 2021. The subsequent drop in 2023 brought the market volume back close to its 2021 level, without specific reported drivers for these earlier movements.

Production onions and shallots in Finland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Finland's production of onions and shallots reached 31 440 tonnes in 2019, marking the highest level in recent years. However, output declined to 29 800 tonnes in 2020, representing a modest 5.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 13.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 23 300 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with an 11.2% drop, while the largest increase was seen in 2019 with a substantial 34.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports onions and shallots from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of onions and shallots from Finland showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest level was recorded in 2019 at just 2 tonnes, which then surged dramatically to 188 tonnes in 2020 - representing a remarkable 9 059.4% year-over-year increase. This created a 92-fold difference between the two years, with 2020 marking the peak export volume. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 89.8% drop from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Estonia and Latvia dominated Finland's onion and shallot exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 99.7% of all shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Finland's onion and shallot exports in value terms have been growing steadily, marking their third consecutive year of increase in 2020. The country exported $111 000 worth of these products in 2020, representing a significant 39.0% gain compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, export values increased by 233.3%, which corresponds to a compound annual growth rate of 49.4%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Estonia remained Finland's primary export market for onions and shallots in value terms, capturing 86.5% of total export revenue. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Finland

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Finland's imports of onions and shallots declined in 2020. The country imported 11 259 tonnes that year, representing a sharp 46.2% contraction compared to 2019. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 20 942 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.8% overall, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 35.8% rise from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the dominant source of Finland's onion and shallot imports in volume terms, accounting for 72.3% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed among numerous other countries, each with relatively small individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of Finland's onion and shallot imports declined in 2020. The country imported $7 727 000 worth of these products that year, down 39.0% from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at $12 665 000. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 2.3% overall, equating to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018 with a 31.4% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Finland's onion and shallot imports in value terms were dominated by three main suppliers: the Netherlands (59.0% of import value), Germany (12.5%), and New Zealand (9.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 80.7% of Finland's total import value for these products.

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

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