Onions and shallots market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the fresh onions and shallots market in Northern Europe expanded in both volume and value, reaching 1 146 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by increasing consumer preference for organic and fresh produce, alongside a rising trend of online grocery shopping. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward e-commerce and home delivery for fresh goods. This change in distribution supported the market's monetary value, which rose to $1 696 million, even as the physical volume dipped to 1 033 thousand tons due to adjustments in supply chains.

The market's value continued to climb to $1 889 million in 2021, supported by sustained demand for healthy foods and regulatory changes favoring organic production and clear labeling. The year 2022 saw significant supply-side pressures, including a nearly 40% reduction in onion supply from Spain and direct disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war to European trade flows. These factors contributed to price volatility and a stabilization of the market volume around 1 014 thousand tons. By 2023, the entry of new players with investment in agricultural technology, such as Verdant Robotics, alongside continued strong demand for plant-based foods, helped the market recover to 1 049 thousand tons and $1 943 million in value.

Production onions and shallots in Northern Europe

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 Europe's production of onions and shallots rebounded after two consecutive years of decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 572.4 thousand tonnes, but then increased significantly by 10.6% to reach 633.1 thousand tonnes in 2020. The most substantial drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 8.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of losses, Northern Europe's onions and shallots production value showed recovery. The minimum was recorded in 2019 at 1 253 million US dollars, but in 2020, output value rose by 14.2% to 1 430 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2018 with a 9.9% decrease.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's exports of onions and shallots reached 35.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a moderate 5.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 57.4%, averaging 16.3% annually. The peak was in 2018 at 36.5 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline of 6.7% occurred in 2019. The most significant increase, at 60.2%, was also recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of onions and shallots from Northern Europe were Belarus (8.9% of exports in volume), Norway (8.2%), and the Netherlands (2.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 19.4% of total exports, with the remainder distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Northern Europe's onions and shallots export value declined in 2020. Exports fell by 13.4% year-over-year to 19.0 million US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, overall exports increased by 33.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.0%. The highest value was in 2019 at 21.9 million US dollars, and the largest increase of 25.2% occurred in 2018.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that exports of onions and shallots from Northern Europe in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The leading destinations were Norway (8.7% of export value), Belarus (4.8%), and the Netherlands (2.2%), which together made up only 15.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Northern Europe's imports of onions and shallots decreased in 2020. Imports dropped by 28.4% from 2019 to reach 435.3 thousand tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 9.4%, with an average annual decrease of 3.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 608.0 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase of 14.5% also occurred that year.

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

During 2017-2020, three key markets—the Netherlands, Spain, and Poland—collectively accounted for 74.0% of Northern Europe's total imports of onions and shallots in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increases, Northern Europe's imports of onions and shallots in value terms contracted in 2020. Imports fell by 31.6% compared to 2019, totaling 284.6 million US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, imports overall rose by 12%, averaging 3.9% per year. The maximum was in 2019 at 416.3 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 28.5% also recorded that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (34.9% of import value), Spain (20.5%), and Egypt (11.1%) were the primary sources for Northern Europe's onions and shallots imports, together comprising 66.6% of total value.

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

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