Onions and shallots market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

The Jamaican market for fresh onions and shallots contracted significantly between 2018 and 2020, with total volume falling from 24 512 t to 21 082 t. This reduction was driven by a sharp decline in domestic production, which dropped by over 3 700 t during those years.

Production began to recover from 2021 onwards, reaching 13 662 t by 2023. In 2022, global supply chain disruptions due to the Russia-Ukraine war constrained import flows, reducing shipments into Jamaica. Simultaneously, new entrants in the market raised capital for research and global expansion, fostering competition and innovation that supported the rise in local output.

Import volumes peaked in 2021 at 9 763 t before declining to 7 652 t in 2023, contributing to a stabilized market size of around 21 300 t. Early 2024 data indicates a modest recovery in imports to 8 504 t, suggesting ongoing adjustments in supply dynamics.

Production onions and shallots in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Jamaica's production of onions and shallots has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 11 365 tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 6.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 8%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15 131 tonnes, which represented a significant increase of 22.5% from the previous year. However, this was followed by the largest decline in 2019, when production dropped by 19.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Jamaica's onions and shallots output reached 80 565 thousand US dollars, showing a slight increase of 4.2% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 14.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The peak value was achieved in 2018 at 91 731 thousand US dollars, which saw a substantial rise of 30.1% from the year before. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline, with a drop of 15.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Jamaica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Jamaica

Exports in kind, t

After increasing for two consecutive years, Jamaica's exports of onions and shallots in volume terms declined in 2020. Exports totaled 26 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 27.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall exports fell by 14.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 36 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 13.2% during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Jamaica's exports of onions and shallots in volume terms were almost entirely concentrated in Canada, which accounted for 96.4% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Jamaica's export value of onions and shallots declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 186 thousand US dollars, representing a notable contraction of 19.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, export value increased by 6.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 231 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 18.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada was the almost exclusive buyer of Jamaica's onions and shallots in value terms, taking 98.4% of total exports.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Jamaica

Imports in kind, t

Jamaica's imports of onions and shallots in volume terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 9 743 tonnes, reflecting a gain of 3.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 25.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands was by far the main source for Jamaica's imports of onions and shallots in volume terms, accounting for 93.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After advancing for two years, Jamaica's import value of onions and shallots declined in 2020. The country imported a total of 3 237 thousand US dollars, which is 10.5% less than in 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall import value increased by 61.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 17.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 619 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 54.6%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands effectively dominated Jamaica's imports of onions and shallots in value terms, with a share of 91.8% of total flows.

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

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