Onions and shallots market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese market for fresh onions and shallots showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023, with annual consumption moving between 1.82 million tons and 2.13 million tons. After peaking at 2.13 million tons in 2019, the market volume dipped slightly in 2020.

A more pronounced contraction occurred in 2021, when consumption fell by 10% to 1.82 million tons. This decline was primarily driven by a reduction in domestic onion production following the expanded adoption of stable production and supply technologies promoted by research institutions. Although imports increased to compensate, they were insufficient to offset the drop in local output.

In the later years of the period, import volumes reached 306 thousand tons in 2025, the highest level observed. Market dynamics were also influenced by regulatory changes, including new food labeling requirements and a shift to a positive list system for food contact materials, as well as shifting consumer preferences towards health-conscious and diverse onion varieties.

Production onions and shallots in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Japan ranked 10th globally in onion and shallot production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

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

Japan's onion and shallot production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1 593 K t, marking a significant 14.1% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, production decreased by 4.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 858 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports onions and shallots from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018, while the highest was recorded in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 22 times. In 2021, Japan exported 6.9 K t of onions and shallots, reflecting a sharp decline of 84.9% from 2020. The maximum export volume was 45.8 K t in 2020, and the largest increase of 381.0% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Asia, not elsewhere specified, remained the primary destination for Japan's onion and shallot exports, accounting for 81.7% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a change factor of 11.1. In 2021, Japan's onion and shallot exports amounted to 3.6 M $ US, representing a decrease of 75.3% compared to 2020. The maximum value was 14.6 M $ US in 2020, which also saw the largest increase of 285.1%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Asia, not elsewhere specified, concentrated 72.1% of Japan's total onion and shallot exports in value terms, while the remaining share was distributed among many countries with smaller individual contributions.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, Japan's onion and shallot imports rose in 2021. The import volume reached 235.2 K t, showing a moderate year-on-year increase of 6.7%. Over the 2018–2021 period, imports decreased by 20.2%, averaging an annual decline of 7.2%. The lowest import volume was 220.5 K t in 2020, which also recorded the largest decline of 21.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Japan's onion and shallot import structure was highly concentrated, with China alone accounting for 93.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Japan imported 130.1 M $ US worth of onions and shallots in 2021, up by 30.7% compared to 2020. Over the 2018–2021 period, imports increased by 2.7%, averaging an annual growth of 0.9%. The minimum value was 99.5 M $ US in 2020, while the maximum was 131.3 M $ US in 2019. The largest decline of 24.2% occurred in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Japan's onion and shallot imports in value terms were highly concentrated on China, which accounted for 90.5% of total flows.

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

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