Onions and shallots market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Ghana expanded from 210.6 thousand tons to a peak of 235.7 thousand tons in 2020, before a slight dip. This growth was supported by the country's heavy reliance on regional imports from neighbors like Burkina Faso and Niger, while a drop in onion prices to 0.2 US$ per kg in 2019 helped stimulate consumer demand. In 2021, despite import prices easing from the 2020 peak, domestic consumption reached $96M, indicating sustained strong demand.

The market contracted sharply to 165.9 thousand tons in 2022, coinciding with a post-peak decline in consumption that pointed to market saturation or supply issues. By 2023, the introduction of two new onion varieties by the CSIR-SARI research institute aimed at boosting local production, coupled with a significant rise in exports to Cote d'Ivoire, helped the market stabilize at 168.0 thousand tons. In 2024, average onion import prices surged by 309% to $525 per ton, and Ghana continued to spend around $2 million weekly on imports, highlighting ongoing supply-chain challenges.

Production onions and shallots in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Onion and shallot production in Ghana has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Ghana produced 148.8 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots, reflecting a modest year-over-year gain of 0.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 2.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 0.9%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Ghana

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 60 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 560 tonnes in 2019 — representing a 9.3-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Ghana's onion and shallot shipments abroad were recorded at 180 tonnes, down 67.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 79.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 834.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire remained the dominant export destination in volume terms, accounting for 73.5% of total flows, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Exports hit a low in 2018 at 20 thousand US dollars, then rose to a high in 2020 at 443 thousand US dollars — a 22-fold variation. In 2020, Ghana's onion and shallot export value totaled 443 thousand US dollars, marking a 272.8% year-over-year increase. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 58.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 490.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (38.0% of export value), Côte d'Ivoire (19.5% of export value), and Canada (14.0% of export value) led the ranking of buyers for Ghana's onions and shallots, with their combined share reaching 71.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Ghana

Imports in kind, t

Onion and shallot import volumes into Ghana have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Ghana imported 87 092 tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a moderate 5.2% advance compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 63.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Niger dominated Ghana's import structure in volume terms, accounting for 90.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of imported onions and shallots into Ghana has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 52 433 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp uptick of 376.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 625.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 93.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Niger was the key partner for Ghana's imports in value terms, accounting for 92.6% of total flows.

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

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