Onions and shallots market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Western European market for fresh onions and shallots expanded significantly, with volume rising by 63% to 2.3 million tonnes. This surge was primarily driven by increased cultivation areas across the region and growing consumer demand for specialty varieties like shallots, red onions, and organic products. The market recovery from a tight previous season, coupled with stable demand that drew down existing stocks, supported this substantial growth in available supply.

Market volume then entered a period of volatility from 2020 to 2022. Recurring adverse weather conditions in major producing countries like France and Italy continued to constrain supply availability. This instability was sharply exacerbated in 2022 by global trade disruptions, including export bans from major producers India and Egypt, which contributed to a 43% contraction in the regional market volume that year, falling to 1.8 million tonnes.

A strong recovery followed in 2023, with market volume jumping 49% to 2.7 million tonnes. The year began with significant supply-side challenges, as severe sorting losses in the harvest led to quality issues and high prices. However, an increase in supply later in the season, alongside continued investment in production and packaging capacity within Europe, helped meet the enduring consumer preference for premium and specialty onions, facilitating the market rebound.

Production onions and shallots in Western Europe

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 Europe's onion and shallot production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 437 thousand tonnes, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 1.0%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 2 556 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 21.2%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase of 33.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Western Europe's onion and shallot production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 021 million US dollars, down 15.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value increased by 36.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.9%. The peak value was in 2019 at 2 395 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 59.4%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe's cross-border shipments of onions and shallots reached 1 906 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decline of 4.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 1 864 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 6.7%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 7.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's onion and shallot exports were distributed across a wide range of buyers. The United Kingdom accounted for 9.7% of exports in volume, Senegal for 9.3%, and Côte d'Ivoire for 5.9%, together making up only 24.9% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of onion and shallot exports from Western Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 998.0 million US dollars, reflecting a small rise of 1.8% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 45%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for onion and shallot exports in value terms was broad. The United Kingdom contributed 10.9% of export value, Senegal 6.5%, and Poland 3.6%, together forming just 21.0% of total flows. The remaining 79.0% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe imported 736 thousand tonnes of onions and shallots in 2020, down 17.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 719 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 889 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 23.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, onion and shallot imports to Western Europe in volume terms were spread across many markets. Spain accounted for 24.4% of imports, Poland for 9.5%, and New Zealand for 8.3%, jointly representing only 42.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of onion and shallot imports to Western Europe declined. In 2020, imports stood at 507.8 million US dollars, showing a robust decrease of 22.5% compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 17.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The highest value was in 2019 at 655.6 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 35.2%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the country structure of onion and shallot imports in value terms was highly diversified. Spain made up 20.2% of import value, Egypt 9.7%, and New Zealand 8.5%, together accounting for only 38.3% of total flows. The remaining 61.7% came from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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