Onions and shallots market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African market for fresh onions and shallots experienced a gradual contraction in physical volume from 627.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 567.5 thousand tons by 2023. This trend was punctuated by a notable drop in 2022, when domestic production fell sharply. This decline coincided with continued global supply chain pressures from the pandemic and high international onion prices, which affected local growing conditions and planning. Earlier in the period, the market structure was characterized by a reliance on fresh produce markets, which handled over half of domestic onion distribution.

Monetary market value showed greater volatility, falling to a low of $139.4 million in 2020 before recovering to $156.4 million by 2023. This fluctuation was heavily influenced by external price pressures. From 2021 onward, the market faced increased competition from Dutch onion imports, which flooded African markets and compressed local prices. Subsequent global onion shortages and soaring international prices in 2023 further impacted local market valuations, contributing to the rise in value despite lower physical volumes.

Looking at the broader landscape, interconnected agricultural markets and global food price trends continued to shape the environment. The import of commodities like yellow maize to address local shortfalls indicated related supply chain dynamics. Furthermore, industry events promoting climate-smart agriculture and evolving consumer interest in culinary uses for onions provided a context for ongoing market adaptation.

Production onions and shallots in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, South Africa ranked as the 26th largest producer of onions and shallots during the 2018-2021 period.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, South Africa produced 733.4 thousand tons of onions and shallots, representing a 1.0% increase from the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 748.4 thousand tons, then declined by 3.0% to 726.2 thousand tons in 2020, which was the lowest level recorded during this period.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, onion and shallot production in South Africa rebounded in 2021. The output was valued at 182.4 million US dollars, marking an 11.2% increase from the prior year. However, over the entire 2018-2021 period, production value decreased by 17.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 164.0 million US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 15.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports onions and shallots from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, South Africa exported 124.8 thousand tons of onions and shallots, a 4.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 128.2 thousand tons, which saw a significant 21.2% increase that year. This was followed by a 7.0% decline in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mozambique, Angola, and Zambia formed the primary group of partners for South Africa's onion and shallot exports by volume. Mozambique accounted for 58.1% of exports, Angola for 13.5%, and Zambia for 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented 79.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, South Africa's onion and shallot exports by value increased in 2021. The country exported 31 051 thousand US dollars worth of these products, showing a robust 15.3% year-over-year gain. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 3.6% over the entire 2018-2021 period, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 26 931 thousand US dollars, which represented a 16.2% decrease that year.

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

During the 2018-2021 period, Mozambique, Angola, and Zambia remained the main destinations for South Africa's onion and shallot exports by value. Mozambique accounted for 47.6% of export value, Angola for 16.4%, and Zambia for 8.1%. Collectively, these three markets represented 72.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, South Africa imported 4.0 thousand tons of onions and shallots, representing a substantial 22.2% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 41.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 16.3%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 41.0% decrease, followed by a 27.6% increase in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia played the dominant role in South Africa's onion and shallot imports by volume, accounting for 73.1% of total flows. The remaining imports were distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's onion and shallot imports totaled 1 936 thousand US dollars, marking an 18.9% decline from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 38.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 14.9%. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 37.6% drop, while imports increased by 21.9% in 2020.

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

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Namibia and the Netherlands served as the core markets for South Africa's onion and shallot imports by value. Together, these two countries accounted for 80.5% of total import flows, while other destinations held comparatively smaller shares.

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

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