MENA: Dried Onion Market 2025

Dried Onion Market Size in MENA

After nine years of growth, the MENA's dried onion market decreased by -11.8% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption, however, recorded a prominent increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Dried Onion Production in MENA

In value terms, dried onion production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, posted a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 82% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Dried Onion Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, shipments abroad of dried onions increased by 25% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. Total exports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% 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 +50.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 55%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, dried onion exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% 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 +70.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Egypt dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 91% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Yemen (X tons), creating a 5.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to dried onion exports from Egypt stood at +3.1%. At the same time, Yemen (+28.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Yemen emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +28.9% from 2012-2021. Yemen (+5 p.p.) and Egypt (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest dried onion supplier in MENA, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Yemen ($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%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 3.4% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 34% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Yemen amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+1.6%).

Dried Onion Imports

Imports in MENA

Dried onion imports contracted to X tons in 2021, which is down by -11.4% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a mild expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 321% against the previous year. 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 stood at $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 43%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Turkey (X tons), Israel (X tons), Palestine (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the key importer of dried onions in MENA, making up 76% of total import. Morocco (X tons), Oman (X tons), Iraq (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Jordan (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +29.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), Israel ($X) and Palestine ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 69% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +23.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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 MENA stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, dried onion import price increased by +21.9% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 257%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform