Onions and shallots market in Tajikistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Tajikistan showed notable shifts between 2018 and 2023. Production remained relatively stable, averaging around 650 thousand tons per year, while domestic market volume fluctuated from 599 thousand tons in 2018 down to 540 thousand tons in 2020, then jumped to 640 thousand tons in 2021 before settling near 588 thousand tons in 2023. These movements were largely driven by changes in export volumes. In 2018, the market structure was characterized by a dominant private retail sector alongside state-owned and cooperative trading entities.

A key turning point came in February 2023 when an unofficial ban on onion exports was introduced. This restriction directly reduced overseas shipments, supporting domestic market volume and influencing internal prices. The export curb remained in place through 2024, keeping exports low at 18 thousand tons that year.

Further regulatory change occurred in 2024 with the introduction of mandatory country-of-origin labeling for fresh fruits and vegetables on price tags, altering retail compliance rules. Concurrently, a bumper onion harvest combined with ongoing export limits led to lower domestic prices for onions in Tajikistan.

Production onions and shallots in Tajikistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Tajikistan's onion and shallot production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 630.0 thousand tons of onions and shallots, marking a 1.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 13.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 680.9 thousand tons, which represented a 22.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.7%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Tajikistan

Exports in kind, t

Onion and shallot exports from Tajikistan increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 90 204 tons of onions and shallots, showing a modest 8.7% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 70.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan remained the primary market for Tajikistan's onion and shallot exports in volume terms, accounting for 80.1% of total shipments. The remaining volume was distributed among numerous other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2019, export values varied by a factor of 3.2. In 2020, Tajikistan's onion and shallot export value reached 7 471 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 659 thousand US dollars, which marked a substantial 98.8% increase from the year before.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Kazakhstan and Pakistan were the dominant markets for Tajikistan's onion and shallot exports in value terms, together accounting for 92.6% of total flows. Other destinations held comparatively smaller shares.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Tajikistan

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From the low in 2019 to the high in 2017, import volumes varied by a factor of 159. In 2020, Tajikistan imported 160 tons of onions and shallots, indicating a dramatic 580.7% year-over-year increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan and Kazakhstan were the leading sources for Tajikistan's onion and shallot imports in volume terms, together accounting for 92.6% of total imports. The remaining share was spread across other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The period saw a peak in 2017 and a trough in 2019, with values varying by a factor of 256. In 2020, Tajikistan's onion and shallot import value amounted to 23 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 905.6% increase compared to 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Pakistan dominated Tajikistan's onion and shallot imports in value terms, accounting for 73.1% of total flows. Other destinations had relatively minor shares.

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

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