Latin America and the Caribbean: Onion And Shallot Market 2025

Onion And Shallot Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the Latin American onion and shallot market increased by 0.7% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, onion and shallot production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Mexico (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Argentina (X tons), with a combined 59% share of total production. Colombia, Peru, Chile and Venezuela lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Colombia (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average onion and shallot yield shrank modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 4.2%. Over the period under review, the onion and shallot yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2021, and then declined 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 Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to X ha, remaining stable against 2021. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 2.4% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, approx. X tons of onions and shallots were exported in Latin America and the Caribbean; almost unchanged from the year before. Total exports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -24.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 47% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports stood at $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Mexico (X tons) and Peru (X tons) represented the largest exporters of onions and shallots in Latin America and the Caribbean, together committing 76% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), achieving a 14% share of total exports. Chile (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Guatemala (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +62.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest onion and shallot supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Peru ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 3.8% share.

In Mexico, onion and shallot exports increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Peru (+11.3% per year) and Argentina (-6.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, rising by 3.3% against the previous year. Export price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% 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 +55.3% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 40%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+3.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Onion And Shallot Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, onion and shallot imports in Latin America and the Caribbean totaled X tons, approximately reflecting 2021 figures. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, onion and shallot imports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value 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, imports decreased by -10.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) represented the largest importer of onions and shallots, mixing up 28% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Mexico (X tons), Colombia (X tons), Paraguay (X tons), El Salvador (X tons), Haiti (X tons), Chile (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons), together constituting a 49% share of total imports. The Dominican Republic (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Honduras (X tons), Trinidad and Tobago (X tons) and Guatemala (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Brazil decreased at an average annual rate of -1.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Argentina (+75.3%), Chile (+17.3%), Haiti (+12.9%), Paraguay (+7.5%), Trinidad and Tobago (+6.0%), Mexico (+4.2%), El Salvador (+3.7%), Nicaragua (+3.1%) and Honduras (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +75.3% from 2012-2022. The Dominican Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Colombia (-7.0%) and Guatemala (-12.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Paraguay (+4.2 p.p.), Chile (+3.7 p.p.), Haiti (+3.5 p.p.), Mexico (+3.2 p.p.), Argentina (+2.6 p.p.) and El Salvador (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Guatemala (-4.4 p.p.), Brazil (-6 p.p.) and Colombia (-9.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), Mexico ($X) and Colombia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 50% of total imports. Nicaragua, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Paraguay, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala and Chile lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Argentina, with a CAGR of +75.0%, 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

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 22%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+12.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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