Guatemala: Onion And Shallot Market 2025

Onion And Shallot Market Size in Guatemala

In 2022, the Guatemalan onion and shallot market increased by 0.5% to $X, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, the total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +80.8% against 2018 indices. Onion and shallot consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Onion And Shallot Production in Guatemala

In value terms, onion and shallot production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 94% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of onions and shallots in Guatemala reached X tons per ha in 2022, approximately equating the year before. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by 5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average onion and shallot yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. 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 Guatemala reached X ha, almost unchanged from 2021. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to onion and shallot production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Onion And Shallot Exports

Exports from Guatemala

In 2022, exports of onions and shallots from Guatemala dropped to X tons, waning by -13% on 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports declined to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 33% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

El Salvador (X tons) was the main destination for onion and shallot exports from Guatemala, accounting for a 76% share of total exports. Moreover, onion and shallot exports to El Salvador exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Nicaragua (X tons), fivefold. Honduras (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to El Salvador stood at +2.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Nicaragua (-4.7% per year) and Honduras (-4.4% per year).

In value terms, El Salvador ($X) remains the key foreign market for onions and shallots exports from Guatemala, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Honduras ($X), with a 26% share of total exports. It was followed by Nicaragua, with a 7.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to El Salvador amounted to +8.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Honduras (+21.7% per year) and Nicaragua (-5.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average onion and shallot export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% 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 export price increased by +82.2% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nicaragua ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Honduras (+27.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Onion And Shallot Imports

Imports into Guatemala

After three years of growth, purchases abroad of onions and shallots decreased by -23.5% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports saw a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 139% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, onion and shallot imports dropped notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 127%. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Mexico (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons) were the main suppliers of onion and shallot imports to Guatemala, with a combined 94% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Nicaragua (with a CAGR of +37.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest onion and shallot suppliers to Guatemala were the Netherlands ($X), Mexico ($X) and the United States ($X), together accounting for 95% of total imports. Nicaragua and Honduras lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 4.9%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Nicaragua, with a CAGR of +37.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the average onion and shallot import price amounted to $X per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 141% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Honduras ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+12.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform