Onions and shallots market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

Thailand's market for fresh onions and shallots experienced sharp swings between 2018 and 2020. After a peak of 320.9 thousand tons in 2018, consumption crashed to 182.6 thousand tons in 2019 as imports collapsed from 93.8 to just 5.4 thousand tons. The market rebounded to 301.2 thousand tons in 2020, fueled by a recovery in import flows and higher domestic production.

Government actions and weather shocks shaped the market from 2021 onward. Urgent measures to distribute harvests and provide farmer aid were implemented in 2021 to prevent local oversupply. Then, heavy rains in the north cut planting area by 11% in 2022, reducing output and tightening supply, while import controls aimed at price stability further constrained available volume. By 2023, active distribution by provincial authorities and a sharp rise in imports helped lift the market back above 300 thousand tons. Price-support policies and import regulation remained in place into 2024, coinciding with another jump in import volumes.

Production onions and shallots in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Thailand produced 213.4 thousand tons of onions and shallots in 2020, marking a 13.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 188.8 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 239.8 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 21.2%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a rise of 22.6%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Thailand

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Thailand's exports of onions and shallots rebounded in 2020, reaching 19.1 thousand tons. This represents a substantial 63.8% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 36.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11.7 thousand tons, with the most significant decline occurring in 2018 at 9.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia were the primary destinations for Thailand's onion and shallot exports by volume. Malaysia accounted for 26.3% of exports, Singapore for 16.8%, and Indonesia for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 52.2% of Thailand's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Thailand's export value of onions and shallots increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 15 715 thousand US dollars. This reflects a 57.5% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value surged by 86.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 175 thousand US dollars, which also saw the most significant decline of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand's export value of onions and shallots was distributed across a diverse range of partners. Malaysia led with 20.4% of the total value, followed by Singapore at 17.7%, and Japan at 9.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 47.4% of Thailand's total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Thailand

Imports in kind, K t

Thailand's import volumes of onions and shallots showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 5.4 thousand tons, while imports peaked in 2020 at 106.9 thousand tons, representing a dramatic 1 873.1% year-over-year increase. This resulted in a 20-fold difference between the two years. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 94.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and Indonesia were consistently the top sources for Thailand's onion and shallot imports by volume. China dominated with 60.9% of imports, followed by India at 16.5%, and Indonesia at 7.4%. Together, these three countries made up 84.7% of Thailand's total import flows in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Thailand's import value of onions and shallots exhibited considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 320 thousand US dollars, while imports surged to 33 313 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 300.4% increase from the previous year. This created a fourfold difference between the two years. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 61.0%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Indonesia, China, and Australia were the leading sources for Thailand's onion and shallot imports by value. Indonesia accounted for 38.5% of imports, China for 37.1%, and Australia for 13.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 88.8% of Thailand's total import flows in value terms.

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

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