Market research

Onions and shallots market in Middle Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Middle Africa" region includes following countries:

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Middle Africa fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, with an overall slight decline. The market began the period at 1 099 thousand tonnes in 2018, fell to 1 046 thousand tonnes in 2019, and then recovered to 1 080 thousand tonnes in 2020. A more significant drop to 1 011 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021, followed by a rebound to 1 076 thousand tonnes in 2022, before settling at 1 051 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Domestic production varied from a high of 1 033 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a low of 967 thousand tonnes in 2021, while import volumes nearly halved from 66 thousand tonnes to 32 thousand tonnes over the period. These shifts in supply components contributed to the volatility in total market volume, with the sharp import reduction partly offsetting production changes in later years.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Middle Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production onions and shallots in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Middle Africa produced 1 024 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots, which increased by 3.0% to reach the same level in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 1 033 thousand tonnes, marking a 7.3% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 3.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.3%	(3.7%)	3.0%	2.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports onions and shallots from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated significantly, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 8.8 times. In 2019, Middle Africa exported 2 427 tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a substantial increase of 320.2% from the previous year. However, by 2020, exports dropped to 746 tonnes, down by 69.3% compared to 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	110.5%	320.2%	(69.3%)	39.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria was the leading buyer of onions and shallots from Middle Africa, accounting for 0.8% of the total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 12.7-fold difference between these years. In 2019, the export value was 1 556 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 460.8% from the previous year. By 2020, the export value declined to 1 123 thousand US dollars, down by 27.8% compared to 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	127.0%	460.8%	(27.8%)	109.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Nigeria and Spain were the two main destinations for onions and shallots exports from Middle Africa in value terms, together comprising 1.6% of the total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports onions and shallots to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Middle Africa's imports of onions and shallots increased in 2020. Imports reached 56 671 tonnes in 2020, up by 5.1% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 53 929 tonnes, which represented an 18.2% decline from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.3%)	(18.2%)	5.1%	(10.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Belgium were the largest contributors to imports in kind, accounting for 35.8%, 20.9%, and 18.7% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 75.4% of the total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Middle Africa's imports of onions and shallots in value terms rose in 2020. Imports totaled 20 210 thousand US dollars in 2019, which increased slightly by 0.9% to reach a similar level in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 37.4%, averaging an annual decline of 14.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 210 thousand US dollars, marking a 24.3% drop from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(18.0%)	(24.3%)	0.9%	(14.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Belgium were the primary suppliers of onions and shallots to Middle Africa in value terms, with shares of 40.5%, 24.6%, and 18.7%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 83.8% of the total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io