Onions and shallots market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Romanian market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots remained stable, with an annual volume around 300 000 tonnes. Cultivated area and production stayed relatively steady in the early years, while imports fluctuated. In 2021, an increase in the number of agricultural firms was noted, yet domestic onion production began a more accelerated decline, accompanied by rising imports, which contributed to a slight market volume increase to 298 600 tonnes.

The market experienced a sharp contraction in 2022, with volume dropping by 28% to 215 200 tonnes. This was primarily driven by a significant 33% fall in domestic production to 145 500 tonnes, as local growers faced pressure from competitively priced Ukrainian imports. In 2023, the market stabilized at 214 600 tonnes. Production continued to decline gently, reducing the self-sufficiency rate to around 64%, while consumer attention shifted towards product freshness and origin, influencing demand patterns.

By 2024, high production costs led farmers to reduce cultivated areas, further squeezing domestic output. The modern retail sector, with key players like Kaufland and Penny expanding their fresh produce offerings, increased product availability. Furthermore, the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), adopted in December 2024, sets future requirements for compostable packaging and standardized labels for fresh vegetables from 2027. Agricultural cooperatives also gained ground, improving the supply chain for fresh onions.

Production onions and shallots in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Romania's onion and shallot production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 203.7 thousand tonnes, but then increased by 13.0% to reach 230.3 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 34.6%, with an average annual decline of 13.2%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 39.7%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's onion and shallot exports showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 484 tonnes, which then surged by 168.7% to 1 300 tonnes in 2020. This represents a 2.7-fold fluctuation between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Serbia were the main destinations for Romania's onion and shallot exports by volume. Bulgaria accounted for 32.9% of exports, Moldova for 15.3%, and Serbia for 12.3%. Together, these three countries absorbed 60.5% of Romania's total onion and shallot exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's onion and shallot export values experienced considerable fluctuations. The lowest point was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2020, creating a 4.4-fold variation. In 2020, exports reached 489 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 70.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.2% drop, while the most significant rise was in 2018 with a 193.8% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Moldova, and Serbia remained the primary buyers of Romanian onions and shallots by value. The Netherlands accounted for 25.1% of export value, Moldova for 16.2%, and Serbia for 13.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented 54.7% of Romania's total onion and shallot export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's onion and shallot imports by volume displayed notable fluctuations. The lowest point was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2019, resulting in a 2-fold variation. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 97 986 tonnes, then dropped by 30.5% to 68 108 tonnes in 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 90.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria were the main suppliers of onions and shallots to Romania by volume. The Netherlands provided 27.1% of imports, Poland 15.3%, and Austria 13.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 56.1% of Romania's total onion and shallot imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's onion and shallot import values showed an unstable trend. The lowest point was in 2017, followed by a peak in 2019, representing a 3.3-fold fluctuation. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 44 907 thousand US dollars, then decreased by 36.3% to 28 624 thousand US dollars in 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 121.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria were the primary sources of Romania's onion and shallot imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 37.2% of import value, Poland for 13.1%, and Austria for 8.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 59.0% of Romania's total onion and shallot import value during this timeframe.

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

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