Onions and shallots market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian fresh onion and shallot market showed consistent growth from 2018 to 2021, with production increasing from 450.9 thousand tons to 483.1 thousand tons and market volume rising from 451.9 thousand tons to 486.1 thousand tons.

After reaching a peak in 2021, market volumes stabilized around 477 thousand tons in 2022 and 2023. This period was marked by rising costs for seeds, fertilizers, and transport, which squeezed production margins. In September 2022, the Ministry of Trade and Export Development implemented fixed prices for onions and potatoes, adding regulatory pressure. By 2024, sharp wholesale price increases signaled ongoing supply-demand tensions in the market.

Production onions and shallots in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Tunisia's onion and shallot production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 468.5 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots, representing a 2.4% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of Tunisia's onion and shallot production declined. In 2020, output was valued at 386.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 24.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 509.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 27.8%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Tunisia's onion and shallot exports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 1 285 tonnes, down 37.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 27.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 10.2%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 189 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Libya remained the primary destinations for Tunisia's onion and shallot exports in volume terms, together accounting for 91.4% of total flows. Other partners individually represented much smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of Tunisia's onion and shallot exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 058 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 53.9% decrease relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 28.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 10.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 296 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 30.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Italy absorbed 87.2% of the total value of Tunisia's onion and shallot exports. The remaining share was distributed among a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia's onion and shallot imports have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 969 tonnes, reflecting a sudden 44.1% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 77.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 39.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria and Egypt were the dominant sources for Tunisia's onion and shallot imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 93.8% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of onions and shallots to Tunisia have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 305 thousand US dollars, which is 46.0% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 64.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 28.9%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Algeria and Egypt played the leading roles in Tunisia's onion and shallot imports by value, with a combined share of 95.1% of total flows. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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