Latin America and the Caribbean: Dried Onion Market 2025

Dried Onion Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of growth, the Latin American dried onion market decreased by -6.9% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Dried Onion Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, dried onion production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Dried Onion Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, dried onion exports in Latin America and the Caribbean fell to X tons, shrinking by -10.6% against 2020. Over the period under review, exports recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 119%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, dried onion exports declined modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 31% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons) and Chile (X tons) were the largest exporters of dried onions in Latin America and the Caribbean, together mixing up 59% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Costa Rica (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Guatemala (X tons), together committing a 32% share of total exports. Ecuador (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by the Dominican Republic (with a CAGR of +30.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest dried onion supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Mexico ($X), Chile ($X) and Costa Rica ($X), with a combined 67% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Guatemala, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador, which together accounted for a further 13%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the Dominican Republic, with a CAGR of +41.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 8.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the export price increased by 40% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Dominican Republic (+8.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Dried Onion Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, approx. X tons of dried onions were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; picking up by 12% compared with the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +103.4% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, dried onion imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +82.8% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 21%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) represented the major importer of dried onions, creating 47% of total imports. Mexico (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Guatemala (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Argentina (X tons). All these countries together held near 33% share of total imports. The following importers - Chile (X tons), the Dominican Republic (X tons), El Salvador (X tons), Panama (X tons), Costa Rica (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons) - together made up 15% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to dried onion imports into Brazil stood at +11.9%. At the same time, Panama (+44.2%), Uruguay (+11.9%), Argentina (+9.8%), Mexico (+8.3%), the Dominican Republic (+7.7%), Guatemala (+6.1%), Costa Rica (+6.0%), Chile (+4.9%), Colombia (+3.0%) and El Salvador (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Panama emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +44.2% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Brazil and Panama increased by +12 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported dried onions in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Guatemala, with an 8.9% share.

In Brazil, dried onion imports increased at an average annual rate of +11.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mexico (+10.5% per year) and Guatemala (+5.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 7.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 8.6% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+1.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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