Onions and shallots market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Honduran fresh onion and shallot market volume grew from 26 338 t to 26 867 t. This increase was supported by ongoing production concentration in specific valleys like Comayagua and the evaluation of cultivars aimed at improving yield and quality, which helped boost domestic output. The market then contracted slightly to 26 419 t in 2020, a period that saw a significant drop in dry onion prices, undermining producer profitability and likely affecting supply conditions.

Market volume stabilized near 26 366 t in 2021 before falling sharply to 24 838 t in 2022. A partial recovery followed in 2023, with the market reaching 25 559 t. These movements occurred without major reported shifts in production capacity or trade policy during those years.

By 2024, new factors began shaping the market. The elimination of a six-month import ban intensified competition from onions imported from the Netherlands, Canada, Guatemala, and Mexico, which reportedly covered around half of national demand. Concurrently, the El Niño weather phenomenon adversely affected domestic onion production, increasing reliance on imports to meet consumption needs.

Production onions and shallots in Honduras

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Honduras has seen its production of onions and shallots rise for the second year in a row. In 2019, output reached 15 030 tonnes, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Production then grew further in 2020 to 15 360 tonnes, up 2.2% compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14 585 tonnes, which represented a 4.4% decline from 2017.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Honduras

Exports in kind, t

Honduras's exports of onions and shallots have increased for two consecutive years. In 2018, exports fell to their lowest point at 646 tonnes, a sharp 55.9% drop from 2017. The following year saw a recovery, and in 2020 exports surged to 955 tonnes, a substantial 47.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall exports declined by 34.8%, with an average annual decrease of 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador remained the primary export destination for onions and shallots in volume terms, accounting for 71.9% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among various other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After declining for two years, Honduras's export value of onions and shallots rebounded in 2020. In 2018, exports fell by 56.6%, and the lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 145 thousand US dollars. In 2020, exports increased to 207 thousand US dollars, up 42.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 60.4%, with an average annual decline of 26.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, El Salvador, the United States, and Costa Rica were the top contributors to export value. El Salvador accounted for 53.4% of exports, the United States for 26.5%, and Costa Rica for 13.4%. Together, these three markets made up 93.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Honduras

Imports in kind, t

Honduras imported 12 013 tonnes of onions and shallots in 2020, a slight 3.8% decrease from 2019. In 2018, imports experienced the largest decline of 14.3%, while 2019 saw a modest 0.7% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, total imports fell by 17%, with an average annual decrease of 6.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands and Guatemala were the dominant sources for imports in volume terms, together representing 87.6% of total imports. The remainder was spread across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Honduras's import value of onions and shallots declined in 2020. In 2019, imports reached their peak at 6 316 thousand US dollars, a 12.0% increase from the previous year. In 2020, import value dropped to 5 390 thousand US dollars, down 14.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Guatemala together accounted for 82.5% of total import value. The remaining imports were thinly distributed among other markets.

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

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