Onions and shallots market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Senegalese market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots showed remarkable stability in terms of total volume, which fluctuated within a narrow band between 579 thousand tons and 586 thousand tons. The only notable deviation was a dip to 562 thousand tons in 2022, after which the market partially rebounded to 575 thousand tons in 2023.

This steady market volume was maintained despite a clear downward trend in domestic production, which fell from 460 thousand tons in 2018 to 399 thousand tons in 2023. The decline in local output was offset by a substantial increase in imports, which rose from 132 thousand tons to 194 thousand tons over the same period. Concurrently, exports grew from 12 thousand tons to 17 thousand tons, slightly reducing the net supply available on the domestic market.

Production onions and shallots in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Onion and shallot production in Senegal has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 412.3 thousand tons, which represents a 7.3% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The peak production occurred in 2018, reaching 460.0 thousand tons, which was also the year with the largest increase at 15.0%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Senegal

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with the peak being 3.4 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Senegal exported 8.1 thousand tons of onions and shallots, marking a 27.7% increase from 2019. The maximum export volume was 12.2 thousand tons in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 48.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, surging by 235.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Senegal's onion and shallot exports were the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands. The United Kingdom accounted for 54.6% of exports, Spain for 21.9%, and the Netherlands for 13.5%. Together, these three countries represented 90.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Senegal's onion and shallot export value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 9 671 thousand US dollars, showing a modest year-on-year gain of 4.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 59%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of export value was heavily dominated by the United Kingdom, which held a 78.2% share of total flows. Other trading partners accounted for relatively minor portions of the exports.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Senegal

Imports in kind, K t

Onion and shallot imports into Senegal have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 176.6 thousand tons, up by 20.2% from the previous year. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 131.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 31.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the dominant supplier of onions and shallots to Senegal, accounting for 89.3% of total imports in volume. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of onions and shallots into Senegal have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 40 222 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable rise of 21.5% compared to 2019. Despite this recent growth, imports decreased by 2.7% overall between 2017 and 2020, equating to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The minimum import value was recorded in 2018 at 31 297 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands remained the leading supplier of onions and shallots to Senegal in value terms, holding 89.1% of total imports. The rest of the imports were spread across numerous other countries.

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

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