Global Onion And Shallot Market: Despite Slight Decrease In Imports, U.S. Remains Most Promising Market

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World - Onion And Shallots - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The global onion and shallot market revenue amounted to $43.1B in 2018, going up by 4.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, when the market value increased by 12% against the previous year. Global onion and shallot consumption peaked in 2018, and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, the global onion and shallot production amounted to 106M tonnes, picking up by 3.2% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period.

Exports 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 6.6M tonnes of onion and shallots were exported worldwide; surging by 4.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, onion and shallot exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010, when exports increased by 23% against the previous year. Global exports peaked at 7.4M tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, exports failed to regain their momentum.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports totaled $2.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010, with an increase of 38% against the previous year. Global exports peaked at $3.4B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2018, the Netherlands (1.5M tonnes), distantly followed by India (691K tonnes), China (575K tonnes), Spain (437K tonnes), Mexico (400K tonnes), Egypt (383K tonnes) and the U.S. (360K tonnes) represented the largest exporters of onion and shallots, together achieving 67% of total exports. Peru (194K tonnes), Poland (182K tonnes), France (170K tonnes), Germany (136K tonnes) and New Zealand (134K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2018, average annual rates of growth with regard to onion and shallot exports from the Netherlands stood at +4.4%. At the same time, Peru (+8.7%), France (+8.0%), Germany (+6.4%), Poland (+5.1%), Spain (+5.1%), the U.S. (+3.1%), Mexico (+3.0%) and Egypt (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest growing exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +8.7% from 2007-2018. China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, India (-1.4%) and New Zealand (-3.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (1.7%) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2007-2018, the share of the U.S. (-1.5%), Mexico (-1.7%), Peru (-1.8%), Spain (-2.8%) and the Netherlands (-8.7%) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($676M), Mexico ($378M) and the U.S. ($232M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2018, with a combined 44% share of global exports. These countries were followed by Spain, India, China, Egypt, Peru, Poland, France, Germany and New Zealand, which together accounted for a further 40%.

Export Prices by Country

The average onion and shallot export price stood at $446 per tonne in 2018, picking up by 7.1% against the previous year. In general, the onion and shallot export price continues to indicate a modest expansion. Export prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest export price was Mexico ($943 per tonne), while India ($310 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by Egypt, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2018

Global imports stood at 7.2M tonnes in 2018, going down by -3% against the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed over the period under review. In value terms, onion and shallot imports stood at $3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

In 2018, the U.S. (625K tonnes) and Malaysia (545K tonnes) were the major importers of onion and shallots around the world, together resulting at near 16% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (302K tonnes), Japan (295K tonnes), Russia (293K tonnes), the UK (273K tonnes), Sri Lanka (263K tonnes), the Netherlands (263K tonnes), Bangladesh (262K tonnes), Saudi Arabia (211K tonnes), Germany (210K tonnes) and Canada (186K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Bangladesh, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the U.S. ($445M) constitutes the largest market for imported onion and shallots worldwide, comprising 15% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Malaysia ($181M), with a 6.1% share of global imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 5% share.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average onion and shallot import price amounted to $411 per tonne, jumping by 4.5% against the previous year. In general, the onion and shallot import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest import price was Canada ($803 per tonne), while Bangladesh ($216 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by Saudi Arabia, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform