Onions and shallots market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Lithuania experienced significant growth from 22 352 t in 2018 to 33 300 t in 2019. This expansion was primarily driven by a shift in consumer eating habits toward greater fruit and vegetable consumption. Simultaneously, an increase in the number of high-quality, certified fresh produce growers entered the market, supported by retail sector investments in logistics and digital solutions that improved product availability.

The COVID-19 pandemic altered consumption patterns and accelerated e-commerce in 2020, contributing to a market contraction to 30 277 t. By 2021, consumer interest continued to evolve toward fresh, high-quality, and locally sourced food products, although the overall market volume declined further to 23 458 t. Ongoing updates to food labeling requirements and market regulation aimed at ensuring fair competition also characterized this period.

A strong recovery followed in 2022, with the market reaching 31 780 t. Consumers increasingly preferred domestic onions and shallots for their freshness and to support local producers, while the war in Ukraine disrupted global supply chains and raw material prices, reducing import reliance and boosting domestic production. The market then stabilized at 31 313 t in 2023, reflecting this adjusted balance between local supply and demand.

Production onions and shallots in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

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

After two years of growth, onion and shallot production in Lithuania declined. In 2021, Lithuania produced 19 650 tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a sharp 25.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 2.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 26 340 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 18.1%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 552 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018, creating a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania's exports of onions and shallots amounted to 5 726 tonnes, down 33.4% from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 50.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 88.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia and Belarus together accounted for 83.3% of Lithuania's total onion and shallot exports by volume, with the remaining exports distributed across various other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Lithuania exported onions and shallots worth 1 993 thousand US dollars, marking a 32.6% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 29%, with an average annual decline of 10.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 2 955 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase at 18.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia and Belarus together represented 80.1% of Lithuania's total onion and shallot export value, while other countries formed a diverse but smaller portion of exports.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Onion and shallot imports into Lithuania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 9 534 tonnes, a 23.9% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 15.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 942 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase at 22.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (48.4% of import volume), Poland (23.4%), and Latvia (11.7%) were the main sources of onion and shallot imports into Lithuania, together accounting for 83.5% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 9 043 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2018, creating a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania's imports of onions and shallots were valued at 5 652 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 12.2% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 28.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 95.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands (51.2% of import value), Poland (20.4%), and Latvia (11.9%) were the primary sources for Lithuania's onion and shallot imports by value, together comprising 83.5% of total import flows.

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

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