Onions and shallots market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh onions and shallots in Zambia stood at 43 231 t in 2018. The following year, it declined to 42 333 t, a drop that coincided with the introduction of the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019. This legislation strengthened food safety standards, likely restricting import flows and temporarily reducing overall market supply. After a period of stabilization around 42 574 t in 2020, the market expanded significantly to 45 248 t in 2021.

From 2022 onward, the market volume contracted, falling to 40 093 t by 2023. During the 2023/2024 farming season, drought conditions posed challenges to agricultural output, including for onions and shallots. Concurrently, the government's Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) provided inputs to producers, helping to sustain domestic production levels. Into 2024, the ongoing implementation of FISP and the publication of monthly market bulletins by the Ministry of Agriculture indicated continued efforts to monitor supply conditions and support the market.

Production onions and shallots in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Zambia's production of onions and shallots has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, production remained relatively stable, with little change from the previous year. By 2020, output reached 40 275 tonnes, showing continued growth in this agricultural sector.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports onions and shallots from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for onions and shallots from Zambia displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019, then surged dramatically to a peak in 2017, with a remarkable 195-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports stood at 23 tonnes, representing an extraordinary year-on-year increase of 1 013.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zambia's onion and shallot exports were overwhelmingly concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 93.9% of all shipments in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms showed considerable volatility throughout these years. Exports declined to their lowest point in 2019, then recovered to reach a peak in 2017, with a 152-fold difference between these periods. In 2020, exports reached 12 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 946.5% increase compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market structure remained highly concentrated, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone responsible for 92.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

After declining for two consecutive years, Zambia's imports of onions and shallots began to recover. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 135 tonnes, then increased to 2 323 tonnes in 2020, reflecting a measured 8.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 56.2%, representing an average annual decline of 24.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 37.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was effectively the sole source of onion and shallot imports to Zambia, accounting for 100.0% of all imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Zambia's imports of onions and shallots in value terms showed signs of recovery. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 238 thousand US dollars, then increased to 1 286 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a modest 3.9% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 55.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 23.9%. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 34.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa served as the nearly exclusive supplier of onions and shallots to Zambia, capturing 100.0% of total import value.

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

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