Onions and shallots market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for onions and shallots in Kyrgyzstan decreased from 205.7 thousand tons to 185.3 thousand tons. This decline occurred amid broader agricultural challenges, including low yields due to soil depletion, poor-quality seeds, and a lack of mountain-adapted varieties, which constrained production potential.

The market recovered to 214.8 thousand tons in 2020. In 2021, it fell back to 205.6 thousand tons as reduced onion planting areas and harvests in the region, caused by adverse weather and climatic factors, limited supply. In 2022, the market expanded to 218.3 thousand tons, supported by external factors affecting logistics and trade, alongside a 17.1% rise in food prices that influenced market activity.

By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 214.9 thousand tons. During this period, household spending increased by 15.2% while inflation dropped from 20.3% to 9.8%, boosting purchasing power for food. Consumer preference for fresh, high-quality produce and the persistent small-scale structure of farming continued to shape the sector's trajectory in subsequent years.

Production onions and shallots in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Kyrgyzstan produced 204.8 thousand tons of onions and shallots, marking a modest decline of 3.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 2.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 201.2 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2020 at 213.0 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 4.1% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2020 with a 5.9% rise.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Kyrgyzstan's onions and shallots production value has risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 41 780 thousand US dollars, up 3.3% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 19.7%, translating to an average annual increase of 6.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 32 403 thousand US dollars, with the steepest decline that year at 7.2%. The most substantial increase was in 2020, surging by 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, t

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 3.3-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan exported 6 473 tons of onions and shallots, representing a substantial increase of 14.7% from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 643 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 18 869 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 70.1% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 177.7% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine were the primary destinations for Kyrgyzstan's onions and shallots exports in kind. Russia accounted for 58.8% of exports, Kazakhstan for 13.7%, and Ukraine for 10.0%, together making up 82.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan exported onions and shallots worth 1 321 thousand US dollars, up 23.3% from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2020 at 1 071 thousand US dollars, and the maximum was in 2019 at 3 039 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2020 with a 64.8% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 168.8% surge.

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

During 2018–2021, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine formed the core markets for Kyrgyzstan's onions and shallots exports in value terms. Russia represented 62.4% of exports, Kazakhstan 14.3%, and Ukraine 6.9%, collectively accounting for 83.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes varied by 2.8 times, with the high in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan imported onions and shallots totaling 7 419 tons, which is 1.6% lower than the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 7 419 tons, with the largest increase that year at 149.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan were the leading sources for onions and shallots imports in kind to Kyrgyzstan. Uzbekistan accounted for 53.5% of imports, Tajikistan for 23.7%, and Kazakhstan for 21.9%, together comprising 99.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Import values changed by 3.2-fold, peaking in 2020 and bottoming in 2018. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's imported onions and shallots were valued at 1 572 thousand US dollars, down 25.2% from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2020 at 2 100 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 206.7%.

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

In 2018–2021, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan together absorbed 80.9% of the total value of onions and shallots imports to Kyrgyzstan, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

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