Onions and shallots market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Morocco decreased from 1 015 thousand tons in 2018 to 884 thousand tons in 2023. This overall decline of nearly 13% was not uniform, with significant yearly fluctuations reflecting changes in domestic production and export levels.

A sharp drop in market size occurred in 2019, followed by relative stability in 2020 and a partial recovery in 2021. The market contracted again notably in 2022, falling to 873 thousand tons, before a minor uptick in 2023. These movements were primarily driven by corresponding shifts in local production, which is the dominant source of supply, as imports remained negligible throughout the period.

Export volumes added another layer of volatility, with peaks in 2020, 2021, and 2022 drawing product away from the domestic market. The subsequent sharp drop in exports in 2023 contributed to the slight rebound in internal market volume that year, underscoring the market's sensitivity to external trade flows.

Production onions and shallots in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco ranked as the 24th largest global producer of onions and shallots.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Morocco produced 982.0 K t of onions and shallots, marking a modest increase of 3.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 19.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 6.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 056.0 K t, which represented a significant increase of 28.3% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with production dropping by 9.9%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

The export data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, with a 4.6-fold difference between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, Morocco exported 55 036 t of onions and shallots, a sharp rise of 106.5% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with exports surging by 251.2%, while the largest decline was in 2019, when exports fell by 36.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of Moroccan onions and shallots in volume terms were Mauritania (32.6% of exports), Côte d'Ivoire (20.4% of exports), and Mali (16.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 69.2% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Morocco exported onions and shallots worth 15 613 K $ US, up by 50.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 106.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 63.5%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with exports dropping by 15.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Moroccan onions and shallots in value terms were the Netherlands (46.5% of exports), Mauritania (18.5% of exports), and Côte d'Ivoire (10.8% of exports). These three countries together represented 75.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports varied widely, with an 18-fold difference between the trough in 2019 and the peak in 2020. In 2020, Morocco imported 3 736 t of onions and shallots, a dramatic increase of 1,690.7% year-over-year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 209 t, which also saw the largest decline of 76.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the dominant source for Morocco's onion and shallot imports in volume terms, accounting for 81.8% of total imports. The remaining imports were spread across a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations over this period. Imports varied by 14.4 times between the trough in 2019 and the peak in 2020. In 2020, Morocco imported onions and shallots worth 1 234 K $ US, a steep rise of 1,339.8% compared to 2019. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019 at 86 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 75.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain remained the leading source for Morocco's onion and shallot imports in value terms, holding a 76.6% share of total imports. The rest of the imports were fragmented across other markets.

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

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