Onions and shallots market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

Turkish onion and shallot production rose from 2.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 2.4 million tonnes in 2020, supported by consistent domestic demand and widespread use of set onion cultivation methods. During this period, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry made exports subject to its permission to secure domestic supply, a policy tightened further by a Trade Ministry regulation in January 2020.

Output reached a high of 2.6 million tonnes in 2021 as producer prices surged by 176%, encouraging expanded planting. However, production fell to 2.5 million tonnes in 2022 after frost disasters damaged harvests, reducing supply and pushing consumer prices higher while export restrictions continued to channel volumes to the local market.

Production recovered to 2.7 million tonnes in 2023. That year, the Ministry of Trade added dry onions to a registered-exports list, imposing another layer of control on overseas shipments. Retail prices in some stores climbed to 30 lira per kilogram, highlighting ongoing supply pressures and storage challenges within the country.

Production onions and shallots Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey ranked as the world's fifth-largest producer of onions and shallots.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Turkey's production of onions and shallots grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 409 K t, marking a slight increase of 2.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 074 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 10.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 13.0%.

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

Exports onions and shallots to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2018, showing a 2.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Turkey exported 220.9 K t of onions and shallots, which was 6.2% lower than the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 101.3 K t, accompanied by the largest decline of 59.2%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 132.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey's onion and shallot exports were distributed across numerous countries. The top three destinations—Iraq (27.4% of exports), Russia (12.3%), and the United Arab Emirates (9.9%)—collectively accounted for just 49.6% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values varied significantly, with a 3.2-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Turkey's cross-border shipments of onions and shallots were valued at 51 430 K $ US, reflecting a modest decrease of 4.8% from the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 16 630 K $ US, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 54 028 K $ US. The largest decline of 59.0% took place in 2018, whereas 2019 saw the biggest increase of 224.9%.

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

The market for Turkey's onion and shallot exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. The top three countries—Russia (18.1% of export value), Iraq (14.2%), and Bangladesh (11.9%)—together represented only 44.2% of total flows. The remaining 55.8% was distributed among many other nations.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports onions and shallots in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a highly volatile market environment. Import volumes fluctuated dramatically, with a 1 355-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2017. In 2020, Turkey's imports of onions and shallots amounted to just 1.0 K t, representing a steep year-over-year decline of 99.2%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 128.0 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 17 914.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt and Uzbekistan were the dominant suppliers of onions and shallots to Turkey, together accounting for 83.3% of total import volumes. Other sources each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values showed extreme fluctuations, with a 3 206-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Turkey imported onions and shallots worth 172 K $ US, marking a 99.5% year-over-year decline. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 33 068 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 27 762.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt and Uzbekistan remained the key sources for Turkey's onion and shallot imports in value terms, jointly representing 86.2% of total flows. Other trading partners were individually much less significant.

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

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