Onions and shallots market in Nicaragua

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Nicaragua experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volume rising from 43 930 tons in 2018 to 51 393 tons in 2023. After an initial increase to 47 011 tons in 2019, the market contracted to 42 429 tons in 2020 before recovering to 46 877 tons in 2021. A slight dip to 44 842 tons occurred in 2022, followed by a strong expansion in 2023.

The market's growth to 51 393 tons in 2023 took place amid several influencing factors. High prices for agricultural inputs like fertilizers and seeds prompted some producers to reduce planting area to control costs, while a lack of rainfall early in the season pressured local output. However, increased imports and smuggling from Honduras and Guatemala helped sustain supply, contributing to the higher overall market volume despite challenges for domestic production.

In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture reported expanded onion planting in key regions such as Matagalpa and Jinotega for the upcoming season. Global factors, including export bans in India and Egypt and adverse weather events in Mexico, affected regional supply and prices, indirectly influencing the Nicaraguan market.

Production onions and shallots in Nicaragua

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Nicaragua's production of onions and shallots declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 20 664 tonnes, marking a sharp year-over-year decrease of 30.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 25.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.5%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 29 641 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 5.2%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Nicaragua

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nicaragua exported 612 tonnes of onions and shallots, a dramatic reduction of 74.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 374 tonnes, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 243.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala were the largest buyers of onions and shallots from Nicaragua, accounting for 31.4%, 21.6%, and 21.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 74.4% of Nicaragua's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Nicaragua's onions and shallots exports totaled 194 thousand US dollars, which is 68.0% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 606 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 76.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala formed the key group of partners for Nicaragua's onions and shallots exports in value terms, accounting for 28.5%, 28.3%, and 21.1% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% of total export flows in value during this period.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Nicaragua

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of onions and shallots to Nicaragua increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 22 377 tonnes, a 13.3% rise year-over-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 15 836 tonnes, with the largest annual decline that year at 29.5%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Guatemala, and China led as the top suppliers of onions and shallots to Nicaragua, accounting for 53.9%, 23.5%, and 10.8% of imports in kind, respectively. Their combined share reached 88.2% of total imports in kind during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Nicaragua imported 7 403 thousand US dollars worth of onions and shallots, up by 1.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 071 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline that year at 23.3%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 79.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the Netherlands, the United States, and China—together accounted for 85.7% of total imports in value terms of onions and shallots to Nicaragua.

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

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