Onions and shallots market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh onions and shallots in Namibia expanded significantly in 2019, reaching 28 596 t. This growth was supported by the vegetable's status as the second most consumed in the country, indicating robust underlying demand, and by active regional trade dynamics with neighboring states.

A contraction occurred over 2020-2021, with volume falling to 24 586 t by 2021. The decline was influenced by the Namibian Agronomic Board's 'closed border' import regime from June to September 2021, which restricted foreign supply to protect local producers.

Market volume stabilized around 25 000 t in 2022 before declining to 23 874 t in 2023. The latter decrease coincided with a sharp rise in export volumes for onions and related products, diverting supply from the domestic market. Throughout the period, industry stakeholders emphasized the need for investment to boost production for both local and regional consumption.

Production onions and shallots in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Namibia's onion and shallot production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 27 139 tonnes of onions and shallots, marking a 2.0% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports onions and shallots from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Namibia's onion and shallot export volume rebounded in 2020. The country exported 3 919 tonnes that year, representing a significant 48.4% year-over-year increase. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports actually decreased by 47.2%, with an average annual decline of 19.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 641 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 49.2% during this timeframe.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Angola were the primary destinations for Namibia's onion and shallot exports in volume terms. South Africa accounted for 66.8% of total exports, while Angola made up 32.9%, together representing 99.7% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable volatility during these years. The lowest volume occurred in 2019, while 2018 saw the peak, with the difference between these years being 3.3 times. In 2020, Namibia's onion and shallot exports reached 1 514 thousand US dollars, a sharp 29.0% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 174 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 3 824 thousand US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2019 at 69.3%, and the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 39.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa and Angola remained the main markets for Namibia's onion and shallot exports in value terms, together accounting for 99.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes followed an unstable pattern during this period. The lowest point was in 2018, while imports peaked in 2019, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Namibia imported 3 480 tonnes of onions and shallots, a 24.8% decrease compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 212 tonnes, and the maximum in 2019 at 4 625 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 43.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 109.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa dominated Namibia's onion and shallot imports in volume terms, representing 99.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Namibia's onion and shallot import value declined in 2020. Imports totaled 1 348 thousand US dollars that year, showing a substantial 22.2% year-over-year drop. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 733 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 25.0% during this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was overwhelmingly the main source for Namibia's onion and shallot imports in value terms, accounting for 99.7% of total import value.

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

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