Onions and shallots market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The North African market for onions and shallots expanded from 7.5 million tonnes in 2018 to over 8.1 million tonnes by 2023, with production rising steadily until 2021. This growth occurred amid external price pressure from large Dutch harvests that flooded African markets, alongside logistical challenges in China and production dips in South Africa, which influenced regional supply and import dynamics.

A pivotal shift occurred in February 2023 when Morocco, a key regional producer, banned onion exports to West Africa, sharply reducing export volumes and contributing to a market contraction that year. The ban was lifted between June and August 2024, triggering a historic rebound in Moroccan exports to 64,900 tonnes and generating $238 million in revenue for the 2024/2025 season.

Throughout the period, competitive pressure from Dutch onions persisted due to their high production, while regional challenges like drought, subsidy cuts, and post-harvest losses affected the supply side. These factors collectively shaped the market's volume and trade flows, with consumption responding to price movements and availability from both domestic and imported sources.

Production onions and shallots in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Northern Africa's onion and shallot production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 181 K t of onions and shallots, marking a 2.0% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of Northern Africa's onion and shallot production declined. In 2020, output was valued at 3 591 M $ US, down 9.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, however, production value increased by 16.8%, averaging 5.3% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 954 M $ US, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports from Northern Africa reached their lowest point in 2018 at 299.1 K t, then peaked in 2019 at 557.3 K t—a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 486.0 K t, a decrease of 12.8% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 45.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 86.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Russia were notable buyers of Northern African onions and shallots, accounting for 27.3%, 10.0%, and 9.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, their share reached 47.0% of total exports, indicating they were significant but not dominant in the market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values exhibited irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 138.9 M $ US, rising to a peak in 2019 at 274.9 M $ US—a two-fold difference. In 2020, export value fell to 213.3 M $ US, down 22.4% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 38.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 97.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and Russia were key buyers in value terms, representing 28.0%, 11.5%, and 10.4% of exports, respectively. Their combined share was 49.9% of total export value, highlighting their importance without dominating the market.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes were volatile, with the lowest recorded in 2018 at 10.4 K t and the highest in 2019 at 18.2 K t—a 1.7-fold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 11.1 K t, a decrease of 39.0% from 2019. The largest increase was in 2019 at 74.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Spain were the primary sources for imports in kind, accounting for 14.9%, 13.2%, and 8.3% of total imports, respectively. Together, they made up 36.4% of import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of onion and shallot imports into Northern Africa was 3.8 M $ US, down 51.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 49.3%, averaging a 20.3% annual decline. The highest value was in 2019 at 7.8 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 39.8%.

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

The import market in value terms was dispersed from 2017 to 2020. Turkey, the Netherlands, and Spain accounted for 12.6%, 12.5%, and 7.2% of imports, respectively, totaling 32.4% of flows. The remaining 67.6% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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