Onions and shallots market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian onion and shallot market volume grew sharply to 530 thousand tons in 2019, supported by a reinforcement of cultivated areas in key regions like Emilia-Romagna and rising consumer demand for local, traditional varieties such as the 'Certaldo onion'. This shift in preferences began to increase domestic consumption during this period.

Market volume contracted over the next three years, falling to 433 thousand tons by 2022. A series of adverse weather events, including droughts and frosts, created yield uncertainty, while rising energy and labor costs eroded production competitiveness. The decline was exacerbated in 2022 by new EU origin-labeling regulations, global supply shortages from reduced cultivation in Peru, logistical disruptions like the Suez Canal blockage, and phytosanitary issues affecting crop quality in Italy.

A rebound occurred in 2023 as market volume rose to 455 thousand tons. Despite significant flood damage to the Emilia-Romagna harvest, the market was supported by a post-pandemic recovery in retail demand and a return to normal procurement levels. Italian exporters capitalized on reduced supply from other global producers, increasing shipments to European markets, while growers invested in new hybrid varieties and optical sorting technologies to enhance product quality for premium segments.

Production onions and shallots in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Italy produced 458.0 thousand tons of onions and shallots in 2020, marking a 4.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 11.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 372.2 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 477.9 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 9.3% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2019 with a 28.4% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's onions and shallots production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 650.0 million US dollars, up by 2.9% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production value surged by 61.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's onions and shallots export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 30 458 tons, representing a 13.6% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 34.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Austria remained the top destinations for Italy's onions and shallots exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 37.3% of exports, France for 21.8%, and Austria for 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented 67.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy exported 43 232 thousand US dollars worth of onions and shallots in 2020, showing a moderate reduction of 7.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.7%, with an annualized rate of 1.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 46 623 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.1% that year.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany, France, and Austria made the biggest contributions to Italy's onions and shallots exports in value terms. Germany represented 38.9% of exports, France 19.1%, and Austria 9.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Italy

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, Italy's onions and shallots import volumes declined. In 2020, imports totaled 68 982 tons, indicating a 20.6% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 17.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 86 924 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 28.5% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France played leading roles in Italy's onions and shallots imports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 24.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 22.8%, and France for 18.0%. Together, these three countries represented 65.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, Italy's onions and shallots import value declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 35 561 thousand US dollars, down by 35.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 55%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 15.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 55 498 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 59.6% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Egypt were the primary suppliers of onions and shallots to Italy in value terms. France accounted for 23.9% of imports, the Netherlands for 22.7%, and Egypt for 15.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.6% of total import flows.

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

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