Onions and shallots market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots in Southern Europe expanded from 2 068 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 2 304 thousand tonnes in 2019, driven by a growing consumer preference for natural and organic products and the increasing adoption of e-commerce platforms that improved access to fresh produce. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the shift to online purchasing and reinforced a focus on healthy foods, which helped sustain demand despite some supply chain disruptions, resulting in a slight market adjustment to 2 269 thousand tonnes.

Following stabilization in 2021, the market volume contracted significantly to 2 107 thousand tonnes in 2022, primarily due to a nearly 40% decrease in supply from Spain caused by the Russia-Ukraine war's impact on European import-export flows and regional trade. Recovery to 2 202 thousand tonnes occurred in 2023, supported by the continuous growth of e-commerce, investments in new production and processing facilities, and the expansion of organic and sustainable farming practices.

Throughout the period, the entry of new players with capital for research and global expansion, along with evolving consumer trends toward vegan and plant-based diets, further influenced consumption patterns. Concurrently, stricter regulations on product traceability and labeling raised quality standards within the supply chain.

Production onions and shallots in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

In Southern Europe, onion and shallot production reached 2 355 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a 3.9% decrease from 2019. Production had previously peaked in 2019 at 2 452 thousand tonnes, following a significant 13.1% increase that year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 167 thousand tonnes, which marked an 8.9% decline from the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, onion and shallot production in Southern Europe experienced a decline. In 2020, the value of production stood at 1 300 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 7.3% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 402 million US dollars, preceded by a 9.5% increase in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 11.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of expansion, Southern Europe's onion and shallot exports declined. In 2020, the region exported 376.3 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 23.1% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 489.3 thousand tonnes, which followed a 22.6% increase that same year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France were the primary destinations for Southern Europe's onion and shallot exports by volume. Germany accounted for 26.1% of exports, the United Kingdom for 22.6%, and France for 9.2%. Together, these three markets represented 57.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of Southern Europe's onion and shallot exports decreased. In 2020, exports were valued at 207.8 million US dollars, marking a 25.8% decline from 2019. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 279.9 million US dollars, preceded by a 26.6% increase in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 11.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France remained the key export partners for Southern Europe's onion and shallot trade by value. Germany accounted for 28.7% of export value, the United Kingdom for 17.8%, and France for 13.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 59.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Southern Europe's onion and shallot imports declined. In 2020, the region imported 289.9 thousand tonnes, representing a 15.1% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 341.6 thousand tonnes, following a substantial 56.3% increase in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume grew by 50.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's onion and shallot imports by volume showed a diversified partner structure. The Netherlands accounted for 16.4% of imports, France for 10.4%, and Peru for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 37.0% of total import flows, while the remaining 63.0% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increase, the value of Southern Europe's onion and shallot imports declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 153.1 million US dollars, marking a 21.6% decrease from 2019. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 195.2 million US dollars, preceded by a 56.5% increase in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 74.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's onion and shallot imports by value were not heavily concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 19.2% of import value, Peru for 11.2%, and France for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 41.3% of total import flows.

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

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