Onions and shallots market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Spanish onion market expanded significantly, with production rising from 1.29 million tons to 1.47 million tons and market volume increasing by 22% to 1.24 million tons. This growth period peaked in 2021, setting a high benchmark for both output and domestic consumption.

A shift occurred in 2022 when the market volume contracted to 1.02 million tons. This decline was primarily driven by a reduction in planted area within Spain, coupled with higher production costs and lower yields due to adverse climatic conditions. Concurrently, global export bans in major producer countries like India and Egypt tightened international supply, affecting import availability. The market partially recovered to 1.07 million tons in 2023, not from increased domestic production—which fell to 1.21 million tons—but from a substantial 62% surge in imports to 147 thousand tons. This import growth was facilitated by European buyers, including Spain, seeking alternative suppliers such as Peru and Chile after Egypt enforced export restrictions from late 2023 to control domestic inflation.

Underlying these supply-side fluctuations, sustained consumer demand for high-quality and specialty onion varieties has supported the market. Moving into 2024, the sector continues to navigate persistent high global prices influenced by international trade policies, while adapting to modern agricultural techniques and stronger retail demand for fresh, healthy produce.

Production onions and shallots in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the 19th largest global producer of onions and shallots.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Spain produced 1 320 K t of onions and shallots, marking a 9.5% decrease from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 1 288 K t, while the peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 459 K t. The most significant growth occurred in 2019, with a 13.3% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Spain's onions and shallots production experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 570.0 M $ US, reflecting a 25.6% drop from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 9.8%, translating to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. The highest value was achieved in 2019 at 766.6 M $ US, with the largest increase of 23.2% occurring in 2018.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year upward trend, Spain's exports of onions and shallots decreased. In 2020, the country exported 356.3 K t, down by 11.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.3%, with a CAGR of 1.7%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 404.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 13.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France were the primary markets for Spain's onions and shallots exports in volume terms, accounting for 27.9%, 27.3%, and 8.6% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 63.8% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, Spain's exports of onions and shallots in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 153.9 M $ US, showing a sharp decrease of 27.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 15.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 212.6 M $ US, with the largest growth of 32.6% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France formed the main group of destinations for Spain's onions and shallots exports in value terms, with shares of 28.0%, 23.4%, and 12.5%, respectively. Combined, these countries accounted for 64.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's imports of onions and shallots totaled 89.0 K t, representing an 8.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 65.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.7%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 61.4% rise.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Peru, the Netherlands, and France were the top suppliers of onions and shallots to Spain in volume terms, contributing 40.7%, 13.7%, and 10.7% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 65.0% of all import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's imports of onions and shallots in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 48.2 M $ US, showing a modest rise of 6.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports more than doubled, growing by 103%, which translates to an annualized rate of 26.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru, Chile, and the Netherlands were the main sources for Spain's onions and shallots imports in value terms, with shares of 41.2%, 14.9%, and 11.2%, respectively. Combined, these three countries represented 67.3% of total import flows.

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

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