Onions and shallots market in Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Paraguay expanded from 68 564 t in 2018 to a peak of 93 679 t in 2022, driven by rising domestic production and strong import volumes. New Argentine export certification rules implemented in June 2022 required quality verification at approved packing houses, affecting cross-border trade flows, while updated national regulations for fresh produce packing plants influenced production practices. Market volume then contracted to 74 920 t in 2023 as planted area fell by nearly 40% compared to 2021, with the cost of seeds and fertilizers almost doubling, curtailing growers' capacity to supply the domestic market.

In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock launched a supported planting initiative, distributing seeds to small-scale producers to strengthen onion cultivation in key regions such as Paraguarí, Caaguazú, and Itapúa. The following year, Paraguay completed its first export of onions to Argentina, shipping nearly 30 t, which marked a step toward market diversification and international recognition of the country's produce.

Production onions and shallots in Paraguay

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

World map of production of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

Paraguay's onion and shallot production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 42 816 tonnes, marking a 1.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production rose by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 41 667 tonnes, when output declined by 0.4%. In contrast, the strongest growth occurred in 2020 with a 1.4% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports onions and shallots from Paraguay

According to market reports, Paraguay did not export any onions or shallots between 2018 and 2021.

Imports onions and shallots to Paraguay

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2018, while imports peaked in 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Paraguay imported 45 804 tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a 10.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 50 897 tonnes, which saw an 81.9% surge from 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina and Brazil were the sole sources of Paraguay's onion and shallot imports, together accounting for 100.0% of the total volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Paraguay's onion and shallot imports has risen for two consecutive years. In 2021, imports reached 4 906 thousand US dollars, up 20.0% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value increased by 53.5%, averaging 15.3% annual growth. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 662 thousand US dollars, when imports fell by 16.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2020 with a 53.5% jump.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Paraguay in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina and Brazil dominated Paraguay's onion and shallot imports in value terms, together representing 100.0% of total import spending.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Paraguay in value, 2018-2021