Onions and shallots market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the onions and shallots market in West Africa saw initial growth supported by emerging distribution channels. The launch of private retail initiatives like the Farmer’s Market in Tema provided a dedicated outlet for local onion growers, improving market access and encouraging production. At the same time, regional political instability, particularly in Niger, led to border closures that periodically disrupted import flows, prompting greater reliance on domestic output.

Market volume reached 5.7 million tonnes in 2020, followed by a stabilization at 5.7 million tonnes in 2021. In 2022, continued political turmoil in Niger and associated border restrictions caused local shortages in Ghanaian markets like Takoradi and Tamale, pushing up consumer prices. Despite these supply chain disruptions, overall market size grew to 6.1 million tonnes, aided by resilient local harvests and ongoing efforts to streamline distribution.

The market expanded further in 2023, reaching 6.7 million tonnes—a 10.6% increase over 2022. Over the full 2018‑2023 period, total volume grew by 30%, demonstrating consistent expansion even as the sector grappled with persistent infrastructure challenges, including inadequate storage facilities and transportation delays that resulted in post-harvest losses.

Production onions and shallots in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Western Africa's onion and shallot production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2019, the region produced 4,898 thousand tonnes, which increased by 4.8% to 5,134 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of onion and shallot production in Western Africa declined. In 2019, output was valued at 2,729 million US dollars, but this fell by 4.9% to 2,595 million US dollars in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 34.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2,729 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 32.3%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Western Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Western Africa's onion and shallot exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports stood at 112.1 thousand tonnes, rising by 11.4% to 124.9 thousand tonnes in 2020. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 30.3%, with an annualized decline of 11.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 99.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 44.6%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates were the top three markets for onion and shallot exports from Western Africa, collectively accounting for 4.5% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Onion and shallot exports from Western Africa have risen for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports were valued at 62.5 million US dollars, increasing slightly by 1.0% to 63.1 million US dollars in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 17.8%, with an annualized rate of decline of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 52.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 31.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 18.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates were the main destinations for onion and shallot exports from Western Africa in value terms. Together, they accounted for 12.2% of total export value, with the United Kingdom leading at 9.8%, followed by the Netherlands at 1.4%, and the United Arab Emirates at 1.0%.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Western Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, onion and shallot imports into Western Africa rebounded. In 2019, imports were 459.4 thousand tonnes, but they surged by 54.3% to 708.9 thousand tonnes in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 31.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 459.4 thousand tonnes, while the largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Belgium were the primary sources for onion and shallot imports into Western Africa, together making up 70.1% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, onion and shallot imports into Western Africa were valued at 137.7 million US dollars. This jumped by 56.4% to 215.3 million US dollars in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 55.3%, averaging an annual increase of 15.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 137.7 million US dollars, which also saw a decline of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands dominated onion and shallot imports into Western Africa in value terms, accounting for 72.5% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

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

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