Onions and shallots market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Hungarian onions and shallots market volume grew by 36% from 59 184 t to 80 361 t, fueled by a 37% increase in domestic production. In 2019, record prices for local onions, driven by high production costs and demand-supply imbalances, encouraged farmers to expand output. The following year, COVID-19 lockdowns and pantry-loading boosted demand for staple foods like onions, supporting market growth despite soaring energy and input costs.

After peaking in 2020, market volume contracted by 13% to 69 407 t by 2022, as imports fell more than 30% from their 2020 level. In 2023, the market recovered to 72 870 t, aided by a 13% rise in production. This rebound was partly a response to global weather and logistics disruptions, which hampered imports and stimulated local cultivation.

Production onions and shallots in Hungary

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

World map of production of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

Hungary's onion and shallot production saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2021, production reached 50 290 tonnes, marking a 7.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production increased by 27.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 54 140 tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 23.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports onions and shallots from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

The export market for onions and shallots from Hungary experienced notable fluctuations during this period. In 2021, exports totaled 621 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 58.6% from the previous year. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2020, with a 17.2% rise. Over the entire period from 2018 to 2021, there was a 3.7-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low point in 2021.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Romania was the dominant destination for Hungary's onion and shallot exports in volume terms, accounting for 85.7% of total shipments. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Hungary's onion and shallot exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 552 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 43.9% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 62.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 27.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Romania was the principal market for Hungary's onion and shallot exports in value terms, representing 75.4% of total export value. Other destinations collectively accounted for a smaller portion of exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021

Imports onions and shallots to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary imported 23 971 tonnes of onions and shallots in 2021, down 13.5% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 046 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 27 720 tonnes. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2020, with imports rising by 31.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Germany were the key partners for Hungary's onion and shallot imports in volume terms. Slovakia accounted for 25.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 24.4%, and Germany for 19.2%. Together, these three countries represented 69.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Hungary's onion and shallot imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 10 816 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 7.8% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 24.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 13 310 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with an 11.9% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 52.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Germany played leading roles in Hungary's onion and shallot imports in value terms. Slovakia accounted for 26.6% of import value, the Netherlands for 25.6%, and Germany for 19.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021