Onions and shallots market in Maldives

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in the Maldives expanded from 11 384 tons in 2018 to 14 795 tons in 2023, driven entirely by imports as domestic production remained minimal at 39 tons annually. Growth was not uniform, with a slight contraction in 2020 followed by stronger increases, culminating in a 17% surge in 2023.

This import-dependent trajectory was shaped by the country's trade relationship with India, its primary supplier. A key turning point came in 2022 when India imposed a 40% export duty on onions due to domestic shortages. The Maldives, however, was exempted under a special bilateral arrangement, securing uninterrupted supply and supporting import growth to 12 569 tons that year. This privileged access continued into 2023, facilitating a further rise in imports to 14 756 tons.

The established trade pattern persisted into 2024, with import volumes remaining high at 14 316 tons. The arrangement was reinforced by India's approval of dedicated onion export quotas for the Maldives for the 2025-26 period, highlighting the ongoing policy framework that underpins market supply.

Production onions and shallots in Maldives

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Maldives experienced a two-year decline in onion and shallot production before seeing an increase. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 38 650 kg. The following year, in 2020, production rose to 38 880 kg, marking a 0.6% increase compared to 2019. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Maldives in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports onions and shallots from Maldives

Market data indicates that Maldives did not export any onions or shallots between 2017 and 2020.

Imports onions and shallots to Maldives

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, onion and shallot imports into Maldives declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 12 027 t. The following year, in 2020, imports dropped to 11 541 t, representing a 4.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, when imports rose by 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the primary supplier of onions and shallots to Maldives, accounting for 90.0% of total imports by volume. The remaining 10.0% came from a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of onion and shallot imports into Maldives declined. In 2019, import value reached its highest point at 6 661 K $ US, with a notable 25.7% increase that year. In 2020, import value decreased slightly to 6 642 K $ US, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 37.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India continued to be the leading supplier of onions and shallots to Maldives in value terms, representing 76.2% of total imports. The remaining 23.8% was distributed among various other countries.

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

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