Onions and shallots market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Georgia experienced considerable volume changes from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 36.1 thousand tons in 2018, it expanded to 42.9 thousand tons in 2019 and further to 46.9 thousand tons in 2020, reflecting a cumulative growth of nearly 30% over two years.

This upward trend reversed abruptly in 2021, when the market size fell by 24.6% to 35.4 thousand tons. The following year saw near-stability at 35.4 thousand tons, before a recovery to 38.4 thousand tons in 2023. Domestic production oscillated between 5.5 and 11.6 thousand tons, while imports, accounting for the majority of supply, remained the primary determinant of overall market volume.

Production onions and shallots in Georgia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Georgia produced 11 600 tonnes of onions and shallots, marking a significant 30.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 900 tonnes, with the largest decline of 2.2% occurring that same year.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Georgia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited notable volatility during the observed period. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 176 tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2019 at 829 tonnes, representing a substantial 4.7-fold difference. In 2020, Georgia exported 284 tonnes of onions and shallots, which reflects a sharp year-on-year decrease of 65.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a dramatic rise of 370.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Armenia, Turkey, and Russia were the primary buyers of onions and shallots from Georgia, accounting for 32.2%, 26.2%, and 16.1% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 74.5% of Georgia's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility over these years. In 2018, exports in value terms hit their lowest point at 98 thousand US dollars, while the peak was reached in 2019 at 279 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.9-fold variation. In 2020, Georgia's onion and shallot exports were valued at 98 thousand US dollars, representing a 65.0% decline compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a growth of 186.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Armenia, Turkey, and Qatar played leading roles in the value of onion and shallot exports from Georgia, contributing 27.5%, 23.6%, and 20.9% of exports in value terms, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 72.1% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Georgia

Imports in kind, t

Georgia's imports of onions and shallots increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 35 605 tonnes. This represents a modest 2.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 99.8%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan stood out as the main sources for imports in kind, accounting for 44.8%, 27.5%, and 10.3% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 82.5% of total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year upward trend, Georgia's imports of onions and shallots in value terms declined in 2020, reaching 11 505 thousand US dollars. This corresponds to a limited decrease of 7.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 61.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 413 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 53.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan consistently remained the primary destinations for imports in value terms, contributing 45.1%, 28.2%, and 9.9% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.2% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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