Onions and shallots market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Lebanon grew steadily from 149.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 206.6 thousand tonnes in 2020. This expansion was supported by the implementation of the national agricultural strategy (2020‑2025), which prioritized boosting domestic production through farmer support and supply chain improvements.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a contraction phase, declining to 114.8 thousand tonnes by 2023. The main driver was a series of global supply shocks: severe flooding in key exporting countries like India and Pakistan reduced worldwide onion output, driving up international prices and making imports more costly for Lebanese buyers.

In response to mounting price pressures, the Lebanese government intervened in late 2023 by imposing a temporary ban on onion exports to stabilize domestic availability. The ban was lifted in April 2024, allowing exports to resume freely as supply conditions gradually improved.

Production onions and shallots in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Lebanon's production of onions and shallots has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 199.8 thousand tons, marking a 23.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 95.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 25.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of Lebanon's onion and shallot production has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 53,501 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 1.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 23%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 70,786 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 23.1%. The largest increase was seen in 2018, with a 62.8% rise.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2018 and climbed to their highest in 2020, representing a 3.5-fold difference. In 2020, Lebanon's cross-border shipments of onions and shallots reached 6,425 tons, up by 130.1% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 1,847 tons, with the largest decline that year at 39.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia were consistently the main destinations for Lebanon's onion and shallot exports in kind. Kuwait accounted for 42.1% of exports, Qatar for 13.1%, and Saudi Arabia for 12.0%, together making up 67.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatile behavior during these years. The lowest value occurred in 2018, while the highest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 times. In 2020, shipments from Lebanon abroad stood at 1,720 thousand US dollars, showing a significant gain of 83.0% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 880 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 31.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia were the principal destinations for Lebanon's onion and shallot exports in value terms. Kuwait represented 37.8% of exports, Qatar 13.6%, and Saudi Arabia 11.6%, jointly accounting for 63.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatile behavior during these years. Volumes varied by a factor of 7.5, with the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, Lebanon imported 13,162 tons of onions and shallots, corresponding to a steep drop of 43.9% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 3,140 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 23,461 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 65.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 647.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of Lebanon's onion and shallot imports in kind was characterized by a strong dominance of Egypt, which accounted for 85.3% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatile behavior during these years. Imports varied by a factor of 3.2, from a low in 2018 to a high in 2019. In 2020, Lebanon imported onions and shallots valued at 1,967 thousand US dollars, down by 44.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,967 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 6,236 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 60.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 217.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt remained the key source for Lebanon's onion and shallot imports in value terms, accounting for 79.1% of total imports, whereas other destinations were much less significant.

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

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