GCC: Onion And Shallot Market 2025

Onion And Shallot Market Size in GCC

In 2022, the GCC onion and shallot market decreased by -21% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. The total consumption indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -35.4% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Production in GCC

In value terms, onion and shallot production soared to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 90%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of onion and shallot production was Saudi Arabia (X tons), comprising approx. 85% of total volume. Moreover, onion and shallot production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), tenfold. Oman (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Saudi Arabia totaled +10.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+1.1% per year) and Oman (+7.9% per year).

The average onion and shallot yield declined slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. The yield indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, onion and shallot yield increased by +88.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 88%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of onions and shallots production in GCC reduced to X ha, shrinking by -5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate temperate growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 47%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to onion and shallot production attained the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Onion And Shallot Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, shipments abroad of onions and shallots decreased by -5.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 200%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a moderate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 266% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the largest exporter of onions and shallots, constituting 74% of total exports. Oman (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 16% share, followed by Saudi Arabia (4.7%) and Bahrain (4.7%).

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Oman (+15.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +15.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Bahrain (-19.4%) and Saudi Arabia (-23.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+39 p.p.) and Oman (+14 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Bahrain and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -17.2% and -33.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest onion and shallot supplier in GCC, comprising 86% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Oman ($X), with an 8.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 3.3% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, onion and shallot exports increased at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Oman (+11.1% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-19.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 39% against the previous year. In general, the export price enjoyed a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 51% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Bahrain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Onion And Shallot Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, overseas purchases of onions and shallots decreased by -34.5% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after four years of growth. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 28%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, onion and shallot imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the largest importer of onions and shallots, comprising 54% of total imports. Kuwait (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Oman (X tons), Bahrain (X tons) and Qatar (X tons). All these countries together held near 46% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to onion and shallot imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +2.2%. At the same time, Kuwait (+9.9%) and Oman (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in GCC, with a CAGR of +9.9% from 2012-2022. Bahrain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Qatar (-5.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+21 p.p.), Kuwait (+14 p.p.), Oman (+5.3 p.p.) and Bahrain (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported onions and shallots in GCC, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kuwait ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 12% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, onion and shallot imports increased at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+10.8% per year) and Oman (+2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 5% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 14%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Qatar ($X per ton) and Bahrain ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) and the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform