Onions and shallots market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for fresh onions and shallots expanded from 35 060 tons in 2018 to 39 875 tons in 2020, supported by a steady increase in domestic production from 27 630 tons to 39 570 tons over the same period.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume dropped sharply to 30 120 tons in 2021, then partially recovered to 32 789 tons in 2022. In 2023, it declined again to 30 369 tons. That year, easing pressures in global supply chains reduced transportation and storage costs for perishable goods, though this did not prevent the market contraction.

In 2024, dry weather at the start of the year affected agricultural output, while planned VAT reductions on food from January 2025 influenced price expectations. Imports rose to 17 447 tons, and exports fell to 15 276 tons, indicating a shift in trade flows.

Production onions and shallots in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Slovakia's onion and shallot production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 39 570 tonnes of onions and shallots, which represents a 19.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 190.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 42.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports onions and shallots from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovakia exported 16 071 tonnes of onions and shallots, showing only a slight variation from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 56.6%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 16.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 26.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Hungary accounted for 92.1% of Slovakia's total onion and shallot exports by volume, while the remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years, with a 3.2-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2017. In 2020, the value of onions and shallots exported from Slovakia was 6 990 thousand US dollars, down by 22.6% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 036 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase happened in 2018, with a rise of 119.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia and Hungary together represented 92.8% of Slovakia's total onion and shallot exports in value terms, with the rest of the exports spread thinly across other markets.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovakia imported 16 375 tonnes of onions and shallots, marking a sharp decline of 23.8% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 28.8%, equating to an average annual decrease of 10.7%. The largest increase was observed in 2019, with a growth of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (28.3% of imports by volume), Poland (17.9%), and Austria (14.4%) were the top sources for Slovakia's onion and shallot imports, together making up 60.6% of the total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Slovakia's onion and shallot imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 8 539 thousand US dollars, a drop of 40.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual rate of 0.8%. The peak value was in 2019 at 14 290 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 67.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, three key markets—the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany—collectively accounted for 53.5% of Slovakia's total onion and shallot imports in value terms.

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

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