Africa: Dried Onion Market 2025

Dried Onion Market Size in Africa

The African dried onion market shrank to $X in 2021, waning by -10.1% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +11.9% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Dried Onion Production in Africa

In value terms, dried onion production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +7.6% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Dried Onion Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of dried onions increased by 15% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. Total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +22.9% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 58%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, dried onion exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +49.5% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 29%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Egypt dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 92% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Tanzania (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) - together made up 5.1% of total exports.

Exports from Egypt increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Tanzania (+23.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +23.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-16.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (+5.5 p.p.) and Tanzania (+2.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-8.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest dried onion supplier in Africa, comprising 96% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 2.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Egypt stood at +4.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (+20.4% per year) and South Africa (-10.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 43%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+8.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Dried Onion Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of dried onions, when their volume decreased by -17% to X tons. In general, imports, however, posted a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 289%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, dried onion imports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Cote d'Ivoire was the main importer of dried onions in Africa, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 48% of total imports in 2021. South Africa (X tons) took a 27% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Nigeria (7.3%) and Senegal (5.3%). The following importers - Cameroon (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) - together made up 6% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (with a CAGR of +23.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest dried onion importing markets in Africa were South Africa ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and Nigeria ($X), together comprising 69% of total imports. These countries were followed by Senegal, Cameroon and Morocco, which together accounted for a further 21%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Morocco, with a CAGR of +16.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 34% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 349% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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