Onions and shallots market in Vietnam

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh onions and shallots in Vietnam grew from 394 thousand tons in 2018 to 427 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was initially supported by significant improvements in cold chain logistics and retail infrastructure, which enhanced the efficiency of the fresh produce supply chain and helped maintain product quality for consumers. Additionally, the consistent market demand and supportive state policies for agricultural products created a favorable environment for market growth during this period.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced volatility, as disruptions to fresh food supply chains and a shift in consumer preference toward longer-lasting processed foods temporarily dampened demand for fresh produce, contributing to a market dip in 2021. However, the market rebounded strongly in 2022, reaching 440 thousand tons, fueled by rapid population growth, urbanization, and the resulting increase in domestic food consumption, which drove a sharp rise in imports. This recovery highlighted the underlying resilience and growing demand within the sector.

In the following years, the market experienced supply-side influences from risks within the cultivation sector, such as weather variability and pest pressures, which affected raw material availability. Concurrently, rising demand for home cooking ingredients, including products like frozen green onions for both domestic use and export orders, helped sustain high import levels and influenced the overall trade dynamics for fresh onions and shallots up to 2024.

Production onions and shallots in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Vietnam's production of onions and shallots has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 372.1 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.8% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of Vietnam's onions and shallots production declined. In 2020, output was valued at 183.9 million US dollars, down 15.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, production value increased by 23.2%, averaging a 7.2% annual growth rate. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 218.3 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 27.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Vietnam

Exports in kind, t

Vietnam's exports of onions and shallots have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 6 695 tonnes, a sharp rise of 33.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 99.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 26.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of Vietnam's onions and shallots by volume were Laos, accounting for 24.4% of exports, followed by Asia, not elsewhere specified, at 14.5%, and the United States at 11.2%. Together, these three markets represented 50.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Vietnam's onions and shallots exports have grown in value for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 3 309 thousand US dollars, up 10.5% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 132.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 32.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Laos was the leading partner in value terms, accounting for 25.4% of exports, followed by Asia, not elsewhere specified, at 14.2%, and the United States at 11.1%. Collectively, these three partners made up 50.8% of total export flows in value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Vietnam

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Vietnam's imports of onions and shallots totaled 44 712 tonnes, a significant drop of 17.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 39 809 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 53 973 tonnes. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2018 at 19.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 35.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and India dominated Vietnam's imports of onions and shallots by volume, with China accounting for 61.9% and India for 33.3% of total flows. Together, they represented 95.1% of imports in kind, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Vietnam's onions and shallots imports was 28 516 thousand US dollars, down 14.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4.6%, averaging a 1.5% annual growth rate. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 24 944 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2019 at 33 389 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 33.9% also in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and India were the dominant sources for Vietnam's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 95.2% of total flows, while other markets contributed the remaining share.

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

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