Onions and shallots market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Swedish market for fresh or chilled onions and shallots grew from 76 009 t to 93 840 t, while domestic production increased from 52 980 t to 69 160 t. This expansion was supported by active trade dynamics, as the market in 2018 was influenced by growing import and export flows and competitive European production, which helped sustain overall volume.

Market volume dipped to 88 593 t in 2021 before recovering to 93 888 t in 2022 and reaching 95 560 t in 2023. During this period, export value jumped by 58% in 2021 compared to 2020, reflecting stronger trade performance. By 2023, Sweden had reinforced its role as a significant supplier in regional trade, particularly to neighboring Denmark.

In 2024, imports amounted to 21 341 t and exports to 1 018 t. New regulatory requirements were enforced, including mandatory labeling in Swedish and the need for phytosanitary certificates for imports originating from outside the European Union, which are set to influence market access conditions.

Production onions and shallots in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Sweden's production of onions and shallots has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 69 160 tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 26.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 52 980 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports onions and shallots from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Export data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. In 2019, exports peaked at 630 tonnes, but by 2020 they had dropped to 197 tonnes—a 68.7% decrease year-over-year. This represents a 3.2-fold difference between the peak and trough. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 83.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, Finland, and Latvia were consistently the top destinations for Sweden's onion and shallot exports by volume. Denmark accounted for 42.5% of exports, Finland for 16.2%, and Latvia for 14.4%. Together, these three countries made up 73.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweden's onion and shallot exports in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 564 thousand US dollars, a measured contraction of 6.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 15.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Denmark, Finland, and Norway were the leading destinations for Sweden's onion and shallot exports by value. Denmark accounted for 59.9% of export value, Finland for 19.0%, and Norway for 8.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 87.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden imported 24 877 tonnes of onions and shallots in 2020, down 9.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.5%, with an annualized decline of 0.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 23 373 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 27 346 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Spain were consistently the main suppliers of onions and shallots to Sweden by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 51.0% of imports, Denmark for 19.8%, and Spain for 11.9%. Together, these three countries made up 82.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Sweden's onion and shallot imports in value terms declined. In 2020, import value was recorded at 21 174 thousand US dollars, down 20.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 13.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest import value was in 2019 at 26 701 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 33.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Spain, and Denmark formed the core of Sweden's onion and shallot imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 50.1% of import value, Spain for 15.3%, and Denmark for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 76.9% of total import flows.

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

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