Market research

Onions and shallots market in the United Kingdom

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for fresh onions and shallots saw its volume increase from 800.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 821.7 thousand tonnes in 2019, then decline to 710.5 thousand tonnes in 2020 and 682.5 thousand tonnes in 2021. A modest recovery began in 2022, with the market reaching 686.1 thousand tonnes, and growth accelerated to 705.6 thousand tonnes in 2023.

From 2022 onward, several demand-side drivers supported the market. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted European supply chains, encouraging UK importers to diversify sources while domestic production fell. Concurrently, the rising popularity of veganism and plant-based diets boosted household consumption. New entrants expanded their global operations, increasing competition, and the expansion of online grocery shopping made fresh produce more accessible. In 2023, consumer preference shifted toward organic and non-GMO varieties, leading major suppliers to invest in research and infrastructure. These factors helped offset logistical challenges and higher transportation costs, sustaining market growth.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in the United Kingdom
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production onions and shallots in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of onions and shallots, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, the United Kingdom produced 391.9 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots, marking a modest decline of 4.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 371.9 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2020 with 411.1 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop in production was observed in 2019, falling by 8.1%, whereas the largest increase took place in 2020, rising by 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.1%)	10.5%	(4.7%)	(1.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the value of onion and shallot production in the United Kingdom reached 465.1 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value increased by 6.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 357.9 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 471.6 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 18.2%, and the largest increase was in 2020, surging by 31.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(18.2%)	31.8%	(1.4%)	2.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports onions and shallots from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

Onion and shallot exports from the United Kingdom declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 5.6 thousand tonnes, indicating a fall of 21.1% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 2.6%, with an annualized rate of 0.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 29.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.0%	(4.3%)	(21.1%)	(0.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Poland formed the main cluster of markets for onion and shallot exports from the United Kingdom. Ireland accounted for 68.3% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 7.1%, and Poland for 6.0%, together representing 81.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year advance, the value of onion and shallot exports from the United Kingdom declined. In 2021, export value reached 6.6 million US dollars, which is 18.4% less compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 6.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 8.1 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.7%	14.0%	(18.4%)	2.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Ireland remained the dominant partner for onion and shallot exports from the United Kingdom in value terms, holding a share of 76.8% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports onions and shallots to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of onion and shallot imports into the United Kingdom declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports came to 296.2 thousand tonnes, which is 3.4% less relative to the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 26.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.6%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 457.2 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 33.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.9%	(33.0%)	(3.4%)	(9.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, the Netherlands, and Egypt accounted for the largest share of onion and shallot imports into the United Kingdom in kind. Spain held 33.3% of imports, the Netherlands 32.9%, and Egypt 10.6%, together comprising 76.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, onion and shallot imports into the United Kingdom amounted to 201.9 million US dollars, constituting an advance of 3.6% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 194.9 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 295.7 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 34.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 28.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	28.7%	(34.1%)	3.6%	(4.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Spain, and Egypt were the primary suppliers of onions and shallots to the United Kingdom in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 29.1% of imports, Spain for 23.0%, and Egypt for 15.9%, jointly representing 68.0% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io