Onions and shallots market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Poland expanded significantly from 468.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 673.0 thousand tons in 2023, representing a growth of over 40%. This overall increase occurred despite notable annual fluctuations, with the market volume peaking at 688.5 thousand tons in 2022. The period was characterized by shifting balances between domestic production and international trade.

A major surge in imports, which more than tripled in 2019, was a primary driver for the market's initial growth phase that year. Subsequently, a rebound in domestic production during 2020 helped sustain the market's upward trajectory even as import volumes moderated. The contraction observed in 2021 coincided with a decline in both local output and inbound shipments.

Market dynamics in the latter part of the period demonstrated resilience. A recovery in 2022 was followed by a minor stabilization in 2023, with the market size remaining well above early-period levels. Net imports continued to play a substantial role in meeting total domestic consumption throughout these years.

Production onions and shallots in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Poland's onion and shallot production rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 535.4 thousand tonnes, but then surged by 24.7% year-over-year to reach 667.8 thousand tonnes in 2020. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 15.7%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's exports of onions and shallots reached 155.9 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 12.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 38.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 10.8%, while the biggest jump occurred in 2018 with a 38.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France consistently dominated Poland's onion and shallot exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 58.4% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values showed considerable volatility throughout the period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while 2019 saw the peak value, creating a 2.6-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Poland's onion and shallot exports were valued at 87.4 million US dollars, representing a 16.2% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was achieved in 2019 at 104.3 million US dollars, following a dramatic 103.8% surge in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom (30.4% of export value), the Netherlands (27.7%), and France (9.0%) were Poland's primary markets for onion and shallot exports in monetary terms, together representing 67.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes displayed significant volatility during this period. The lowest level was recorded in 2017, while 2019 saw the peak, creating a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Poland imported 164.5 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a 23.1% decrease from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 214.1 thousand tonnes, following an extraordinary 247.9% increase that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (66.1% of import volume), Germany (10.2%), and Kazakhstan (8.2%) were Poland's main sources of onion and shallot imports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 84.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values exhibited substantial volatility throughout the period. The lowest point occurred in 2017, while 2019 reached the peak, creating a 6.8-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Poland imported approximately 43.1 million US dollars worth of onions and shallots, representing a 35.0% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 66.3 million US dollars, following a remarkable 241.1% increase that same year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands (64.8% of import value), Germany (7.9%), and Kazakhstan (5.7%) remained Poland's primary suppliers of onions and shallots in monetary terms, collectively accounting for 78.3% of total import value.

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

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