Onions and shallots market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market volume for fresh onions and shallots in Ukraine grew from 903 thousand tonnes to 1,089 thousand tonnes in 2019, then saw a moderate decline to 1,050 thousand tonnes by 2021. The initial increase was driven by a need for higher imports after a significant reduction in onion stocks in traditional CIS supplier countries, which affected supply stability. Subsequently, domestic production growth was constrained by persistently low marketability and a fragmented supply structure, limiting further market expansion.

In 2022, the market volume dropped sharply by 11.2% to 932 thousand tonnes. This was primarily caused by the full-scale war, which led to the occupation of key growing regions, creating a domestic deficit and forcing increased imports of more expensive produce. Additional pressure came from adverse weather, including heavy rains that delayed the harvest, while the introduction of a 10% import duty and simplified labeling rules for imported food products also altered market conditions.

A recovery followed in 2023, with the market volume rising 5.4% to 982 thousand tonnes. This rebound was largely due to an exceptionally high harvest, despite ongoing quality challenges from weather extremes like heat and rains. Concurrently, the continued growth of Ukrainian onion exports to the European market and the cancellation of mandatory Ukrainian labeling for imported goods provided further context for the market's adjustments.

Production onions and shallots Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine ranked as the 23rd largest producer of onions and shallots globally.

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

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

Ukraine's production of onions and shallots grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 065 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 908 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 9.6%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest increase at 12.7%.

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

Exports onions and shallots to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export levels fluctuated, with a 1.8-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Ukraine exported 23 370 tonnes of onions and shallots, a 78.3% jump from the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 13 107 tonnes, which experienced the largest drop of 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine's export structure in volume terms was quite diversified. The top partners—Belarus with 19.5%, Romania with 18.0%, and Iraq with 11.6%—together accounted for 49.1% of total exports. The remaining 50.9% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this period. Exports fluctuated by 1.8-fold, from a low in 2017 to a peak in 2018. In 2020, Ukraine's onion and shallot exports totaled 4 624 thousand US dollars, up 21.4% from the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 5 404 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 83.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 29.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Ukraine's onion and shallot exports in value terms were Romania with 17.7%, the United Kingdom with 17.6%, and Poland with 16.8%. Together, these three countries made up 52.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes varied by 13.9 times, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2019. In 2020, Ukraine imported 30 413 tonnes of onions and shallots, a sharp 61.3% decrease from 2019. The peak was in 2019 at 78 594 tonnes, which recorded the largest increase of 412.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of onions and shallots to Ukraine in volume terms were Uzbekistan with 32.8%, Kazakhstan with 19.7%, and the Netherlands with 15.4%. These three countries together accounted for 67.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import values fluctuated by 7.7 times, from a low in 2017 to a peak in 2019. In 2020, Ukraine's imports of onions and shallots reached 14 816 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 30.4% drop from the previous year. The highest value was in 2019 at 21 299 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 320.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands contributed 42.4%, Uzbekistan 17.7%, and Poland 10.2% to Ukraine's onion and shallot imports in value terms. Combined, these three suppliers made up 70.3% of total import value.

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

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