MENA: Onion And Shallot Market 2025

Onion And Shallot Market Size in MENA

The MENA's onion and shallot market reached $X in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Production in MENA

In value terms, onion and shallot production rose rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -8.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 51% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Egypt (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Iran (X tons), with a combined 64% share of total production. Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +10.0%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average onion and shallot yield contracted slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, remaining constant against 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 12%. Over the period under review, the onion and shallot yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2021, and then fell slightly 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.

The onion and shallot harvested area reached X ha in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year's figure. In general, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 8%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Onion And Shallot Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, shipments abroad of onions and shallots increased by 4.7% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Total exports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value 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. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 97%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Egypt (X tons) represented the major exporter of onions and shallots, comprising 43% of total exports. Turkey (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Yemen (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Morocco (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 53% share of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to onion and shallot exports from Egypt stood at +1.8%. At the same time, Morocco (+24.6%), Iran (+12.3%), Turkey (+3.1%), Yemen (+2.1%) and the United Arab Emirates (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MENA, with a CAGR of +24.6% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Morocco and Iran increased by +6.6 and +5.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest onion and shallot supplier in MENA, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Yemen ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with an 8.2% share.

In Egypt, onion and shallot exports increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Yemen (+7.5% per year) and Turkey (+3.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 31%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Turkey ($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 MENA

In 2022, imports of onions and shallots in MENA declined notably to X tons, dropping by -29.6% against the previous year's figure. In general, imports showed a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 40% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, onion and shallot imports fell notably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a mild descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 51%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the main importer of onions and shallots in MENA, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 43% of total imports in 2022. Kuwait (X tons) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (11%), Iraq (9.4%) and Bahrain (6.1%). Qatar (X tons) and Israel (X tons) held a minor 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%), Israel (+9.2%) and Oman (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MENA, with a CAGR of +9.9% from 2012-2022. Bahrain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Iraq (-2.0%) and Qatar (-5.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+17 p.p.), Kuwait (+11 p.p.), Oman (+4.2 p.p.), Bahrain (+1.8 p.p.) and Israel (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported onions and shallots in MENA, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kuwait ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +7.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Kuwait (+10.8% per year) and Oman (+2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 5.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 14%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Israel ($X per ton), while Iraq ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform