Onions and shallots market in South Korea

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh onions and shallots in South Korea remained relatively stable from 2018 to 2019, before declining sharply to 1 610 thousand tonnes in 2020. This drop was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which created global supply chain instability and disrupted distribution.

A recovery followed in 2021, with the market volume reaching 2 101 thousand tonnes. This growth coincided with an increase in imports of fresh food products and a shift in consumer purchasing patterns, where fewer shopping trips were made but basket sizes increased. The market then contracted to 1 717 thousand tonnes in 2022, a period that saw the introduction of a new food consumption date labeling system to reduce waste and the rising popularity of meal kits, which altered demand dynamics.

In 2023, the market volume saw a slight increase to 1 751 thousand tonnes. Agricultural technology advances, such as precision farming and disease-resistant varieties, contributed to productivity gains. Concurrently, ongoing investments in cold chain logistics infrastructure improved the distribution of fresh produce. By 2024, regulatory shifts towards sustainability and further cold chain expansion continued to shape the market environment.

Production onions and shallots in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea maintained the 9th position globally in terms of onion and shallot production volume.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

After two consecutive years of growth, onion and shallot production in South Korea experienced a decline. In 2020, production reached 1 586 K t, marking a 22.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production fell by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The peak production occurred in 2019 at 2 058 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018 at 23.4%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from South Korea

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes varied dramatically, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2019, showing a 92-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, South Korea's onion and shallot exports amounted to 5.6 K t, representing an 88.8% decline from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 50.4 K t, which also saw the largest percentage increase at 1 366.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified remained the primary destination for South Korea's onion and shallot exports, accounting for 71.6% of total export volume. Other markets played a much smaller role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 50-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of onion and shallot shipments from South Korea totaled 2 753 K US dollars, representing an 83.5% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 16 667 K US dollars, which also experienced the largest percentage increase at 1 486.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, South Korea's export structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on Asia, not elsewhere specified, which accounted for 75.5% of total export value. Other trading partners represented the remaining share.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to South Korea

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, South Korea's onion and shallot import volume increased. In 2020, imports reached 29.7 K t, showing a 25.5% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 80.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 41.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 23.7 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 60.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea's onion and shallot imports were predominantly sourced from China, which accounted for 94.3% of total import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of contraction, South Korea's onion and shallot import value increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 11 144 K US dollars, representing a significant 28.0% increase compared to the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall import value decreased by 76.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 38.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 704 K US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 59.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China was the dominant source for South Korea's onion and shallot imports in value terms, accounting for 88.5% of total import value. Other markets represented a much smaller portion of imports.

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

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