Onions and shallots market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Portuguese onions and shallots market expanded from 126.4 thousand tons to 141.3 thousand tons. This growth was supported by a rise in per capita consumption, which reached 11.2 kg in 2018, stimulating demand. Producers responded by adopting improved varieties resistant to diseases and suitable for mechanical harvesting, contributing to an increase in domestic output. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer behavior, boosting demand for onions for home cooking and leading to a significant market volume surge.

Following the 2020 peak, market volume began to contract, declining to 134.3 thousand tons in 2021 and 130.9 thousand tons in 2023. A sharp rise in production costs, particularly for fertilizers and energy, pressured producers in 2022, reducing output from 71.0 thousand tons to 60.5 thousand tons over two years. Limited raw material supply and higher costs also triggered substantial consumer price increases, with a 25% spike in one week during June 2022.

By 2025, cost factors continued to influence the market, with reports of further onion price increases of 17% in one week during June, indicating persistent pressure from constrained supply and elevated production expenses. Global factors such as fertilizer and energy costs remained key drivers for the Portuguese onions and shallots sector.

Production onions and shallots in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

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

Portugal's onion and shallot production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2021, the country produced 66.2 K t, down 6.8% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 22.3%, averaging 6.9% annually. The peak was in 2020 at 71.0 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Portugal's onion and shallot output was valued at 26 121 K $ US, a strong 19.4% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 18.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 21 882 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 11.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Portugal's onion and shallot export volume reached 10 489 t in 2021, up 29.7% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 52.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.0%. The largest decline was in 2020 at 12.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 34.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Spain remained the dominant export partner for Portugal's onions and shallots in volume terms, accounting for 71.1% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of Portugal's onion and shallot exports was 4 142 K $ US, reflecting a 66.1% year-over-year rise. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 47.1%, averaging 13.7% annually. The lowest value was in 2020 at 2 493 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 32.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain and France were the main destinations for Portugal's onion and shallot exports in value terms, together accounting for 80.0% of total flows, while other partners held significantly smaller shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports onions and shallots to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's onion and shallot import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 78 656 t, remaining virtually unchanged from 2020. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 71 090 t, which saw the largest decline of 10.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 10.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain concentrated most of Portugal's onion and shallot imports in volume, taking 78.1% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Portugal imported onions and shallots valued at 31 299 K $ US, a modest 5.3% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value rose by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The peak value was in 2019 at 31 299 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 15.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 7.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Portugal's onion and shallot import structure in value terms was strongly focused on Spain, which held a 78.2% share of total flows, with other partners accounting for the remainder.

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

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