Onions and shallots market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

The Ugandan onions and shallots market showed stable domestic production between 2018 and 2023, hovering around 330 thousand tons annually. However, market volume fluctuations were primarily driven by varying import levels, which saw sharp rises in 2021 and again in 2023-2024. Early in the period, a significant expansion in export activity in 2019, with volumes jumping over 160%, signaled increased market engagement and likely entry of new players or capacity expansion, supporting a slight production increase.

Import surges played a decisive role. The 2021 import leap to 43.7 thousand tons temporarily boosted the market volume above 370 thousand tons. Later, in 2023, localized production was constrained by fatigued soils in some areas, yet strong demand—fueled by growing international travel through Entebbe Airport and lucrative cross-border trade opportunities with neighbors like South Sudan—pulled in higher imports, lifting the market volume to 366.8 thousand tons.

The trend of rising imports accelerated into 2024, reaching 76.2 thousand tons. This was facilitated by the introduction of the new Uganda Standard DUS DARS 931:2024 for fresh onions and shallots, which harmonized quality and labeling specifications to reduce trade barriers. Concurrently, broader drivers like urbanization, population growth, and consumer preference for certified, longer-lasting produce continued to underpin market demand.

Production onions and shallots in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Uganda's production of onions and shallots declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 335.6 thousand tonnes, but then fell by 2.2% to 328.0 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 2.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of gains, the value of Uganda's onions and shallots production declined. In 2019, output reached its highest value at 128.4 million US dollars, but then decreased by 3.6% to 123.7 million US dollars in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 34.5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 10.4%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when the value rose by 24.6%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

Uganda's exports of onions and shallots showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2019 at 1 969 tonnes — a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports fell to 1 694 tonnes, representing a 14.0% decrease compared to 2019. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when exports surged by 110.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda's exports of onions and shallots were highly concentrated, with South Sudan accounting for 93.8% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Uganda's onions and shallots exports exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while exports reached their peak in 2019 at 753 thousand US dollars — a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export value declined to 639 thousand US dollars, marking a 15.2% decrease compared to 2019. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when export value jumped by 129.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Sudan was the primary destination for Uganda's onions and shallots exports, consistently absorbing 93.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

Uganda's imports of onions and shallots increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 23 401 tonnes, up by 6.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 86.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and Kenya were the main sources for Uganda's onions and shallots imports, together accounting for 99.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Uganda's imports of onions and shallots increased in value for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 382 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 26.1% increase compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 156.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 36.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, two markets — Tanzania and Kenya — dominated Uganda's onions and shallots imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 99.7% of total import flows.

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

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