Onions and shallots market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Latvia experienced a sharp rise to 20 289 tons in 2020, driven by increased consumer demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to this, the market volume had seen modest growth, supported by the implementation of EU Regulation 2019/1020 in mid-2019, which strengthened market surveillance and compliance standards for food products.

From 2021, high inflation significantly reduced household purchasing power, causing the market to contract to 15 450 tons that year. Inflationary pressures and global supply chain disruptions continued into 2022, keeping volume subdued at 15 121 tons. However, by 2023 the market recovered to 16 373 tons, even as consumer preferences gradually broadened to include more specialty varieties like shallots and sweet onions alongside traditional yellow onions.

Production onions and shallots in Latvia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Latvia produced 6 300 tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a sharp decline of 46.2% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 21.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 11 700 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 53.7% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports onions and shallots from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Latvia exported 3 838 tonnes of onions and shallots, showing a modest increase of 1.6% over the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 18.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 389 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 35.3%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the most significant decline of 13.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Estonia and Lithuania were the primary destinations for Latvia's onion and shallot exports, together accounting for 97.3% of total export volumes. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Latvia's onion and shallot exports amounted to 1 682 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate increase of 3.5% compared to 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 477 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 93.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 34.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Estonia and Lithuania accounted for the majority of Latvia's onion and shallot exports in value terms, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Latvia imported 5 228 tonnes of onions and shallots, indicating a 5.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 13.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 243 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 15.4%. The most notable decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 6.6%.

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

During 2018-2021, Lithuania (31.1% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (20.5%), and Uzbekistan (14.2%) were the largest suppliers of onions and shallots to Latvia, together accounting for 65.8% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Latvia's onion and shallot imports totaled 5 228 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual increase of 9.2% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 372 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 71.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 24.9%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the Netherlands (39.4% of imports in value terms), Lithuania (22.7%), and Uzbekistan (10.8%) formed the key group of partners for Latvia's onion and shallot imports, jointly representing 73.0% of total import value.

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

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