Onions and shallots market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the onion and shallot market in Kazakhstan experienced significant volatility. The market volume started at 893 thousand tons in 2018, supported by the state program for agribusiness development from 2017-2021 which encouraged vegetable growing. It then contracted sharply by 23% to 684 thousand tons in 2019. A recovery followed in 2020, with the market rising to 765 thousand tons, a period when logistics disruptions and import limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected supply chains.

The market expanded to 851 thousand tons in 2021, driven by reduced onion harvests in Russia which boosted demand for Kazakh exports and stimulated local production. In 2022, the market volume dipped slightly to 821 thousand tons as floods in Central Asia led to export bans in neighboring countries, increasing external demand for Kazakh onions and raising domestic prices. By 2023, the market returned to its 2018 level, reaching 895 thousand tons, aided by a three-month ban on onion exports implemented in January 2023 to stabilize domestic supply.

In 2024, while full market volume data is unavailable, trade flows continued to be shaped by regulatory developments. The expansion of mandatory product labeling for food items and the emergence of new domestic producers in various regions influenced market logistics and supply. Import volumes fell to 137 thousand tons, while exports surged to 262 thousand tons, reflecting ongoing shifts in trade patterns.

Production onions and shallots in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan ranked 26th globally in the production of onions and shallots.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Kazakhstan produced 715.9 K t of onions and shallots, marking a measured increase of 8.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.3%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 660.2 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 813.5 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 18.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 9.3%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, K t

Onions and shallots exports from Kazakhstan have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 111.9 K t, showing a slight improvement of 1.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 73.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 20.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Afghanistan, and Poland were consistently the main destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 54.6%, 9.8%, and 8.7% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 73.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Kazakhstan's onions and shallots exports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 18 882 K $ US, which is 16.7% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 188.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 42.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Poland, and Afghanistan formed the primary group of destinations for exports in value terms, with shares of 63.5%, 9.1%, and 5.1%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 77.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, K t

The market for imports showed volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of onions and shallots into Kazakhstan stood at 160.6 K t, reflecting a rise of 19.5% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 11.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 75.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan jointly absorbed 94.0% of total imports in kind of onions and shallots to Kazakhstan, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, imported volumes of onions and shallots in Kazakhstan declined. In 2020, imports totaled 19 719 K $ US, corresponding to a robust decline of 13.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 22 702 K $ US, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 23.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan clearly dominated the partner structure for imports in value terms, while other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

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

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