Onions and shallots market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The onions and shallots market in Southern Asia saw its volume grow from 29 thousand tons in 2018 to over 37 thousand tons in 2023, despite a minor dip in 2019 and 2023. This expansion was underpinned by a consistent rise in domestic production, which increased by nearly 29% across the period, while trade flows remained relatively modest. The market's physical size peaked in 2022 at 38.7 thousand tons, reflecting strong underlying supply conditions.

In value terms, the market exhibited more volatility, with a notable decline in 2021 even as volume increased. This suggests changes in average prices or shifts in the types of products consumed. The overall trend from 2018 to 2023 points to a market where availability expanded significantly, with production being the primary determinant of volume growth.

By 2024, broader industry trends highlighted continued drivers such as rising health consciousness, evolving culinary preferences, and supportive government policies that bolster demand for fresh produce. At the same time, factors like climate variability and price fluctuations were noted as ongoing challenges for production stability in the global onions and shallots sector, which also influence the Southern Asian context.

Production onions and shallots in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Southern Asia's onion and shallot production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 32 730 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 12.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Asia's onion and shallot production value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 11 694 million US dollars, showing a substantial 15.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 51.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports onions and shallots from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Onion and shallot export volumes from Southern Asia have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 879 thousand tonnes, up by 44.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 372.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 67.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia—collectively accounted for 60.2% of Southern Asia's total onion and shallot exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Onion and shallot export values from Southern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 314.1 million US dollars, representing a sharp 48.1% year-on-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 515.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 83.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq (37.5% of export value), Malaysia (12.2%), and the United Arab Emirates (11.7%) led the export structure by value, together making up 61.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Onion and shallot import volumes into Southern Asia have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 383 thousand tonnes, down by 23.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 54.4%, with an annualized decline of 23.1%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 907 thousand tonnes, followed by the largest drop of 44.5% in 2019. In contrast, 2018 saw a modest increase of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (1.7% of import volume), the Netherlands (1.2%), and Egypt (1.1%) were the top contributors to Southern Asia's onion and shallot imports by volume, together accounting for 4.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Asia's onion and shallot imports were valued at 351.8 million US dollars, reflecting a 38.5% increase from 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 17.6%, with an annualized decline of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 254.0 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 426.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 40.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the import partner portfolio for onions and shallots in Southern Asia was quite diverse. The Netherlands (2.4% of import value), Turkey (2.3%), and Egypt (2.0%) together represented only 6.6% of total flows.

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

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