Market research

Onions and shallots market in Nigeria

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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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Nigeria showed steady growth from 1.6 million tons in 2018 to 1.9 million tons in 2023. The expansion accelerated in 2022 and 2023, with annual increases exceeding 59 thousand tons each year, after a period of more gradual growth.

This rise in market volume was driven by government subsidies for precision farming equipment that boosted onion productivity by 22%. Significant investments in innovative agricultural techniques and the expansion of e-commerce distribution channels enhanced production and market access. Concurrently, growing consumer preference for organic and chemical-free produce, supported by health awareness trends, strengthened demand.

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 Nigeria
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria 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 Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria ranked 12th globally in the production of onions and shallots.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Nigeria's production of onions and shallots grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 751 thousand tonnes, marking a 3.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.5%	2.9%	3.1%	3.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports onions and shallots from Nigeria

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Nigeria exported 3 302 tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a 202.0% surge from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	202.0%	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Ghana served as the primary and nearly exclusive market for Nigeria's onion and shallot exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of the total trade volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, the value of Nigeria's onion and shallot exports reached 973.9 thousand US dollars, up by 95.1% from 2017.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	95.1%	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria's onion and shallot exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Ghana, which made up 100.0% of the total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports onions and shallots to Nigeria

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports fluctuated significantly, with a 40-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Nigeria imported {value_last_year} tonnes of onions and shallots, reflecting a sharp year-over-year decline of 92.6%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 22 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 873.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	873.4%	306.0%	(92.6%)	43.3%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Japan and China were the leading sources for Nigeria's onion and shallot imports in kind, together accounting for 88.0% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over this period. Import values varied by 34 times, from the low in 2017 to the high in 2019. In 2020, Nigeria's imports of foreign onions and shallots amounted to 6.5 thousand US dollars, a 41.2% decrease year-over-year. The maximum value was 11.1 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a jump of 2,112.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2 112.1%	51.5%	(41.2%)	170.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Nigeria's onion and shallot imports in value terms were the Netherlands (23.9% of imports), Japan (23.5% of imports), and Australia (20.4% of imports), which collectively represented 67.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io