SADC: Onion And Shallot Market 2025

Onion And Shallot Market Size in SADC

The SADC onion and shallot market dropped modestly to $X in 2022, declining by -2.6% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Onion And Shallot Production in SADC

In value terms, onion and shallot production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 54%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

South Africa (X tons) remains the largest onion and shallot producing country in SADC, accounting for 48% of total volume. Moreover, onion and shallot production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Mozambique (X tons), fourfold. Tanzania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in South Africa totaled +1.4%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Mozambique (+9.3% per year) and Tanzania (+1.9% per year).

The average onion and shallot yield contracted to X tons per ha in 2022, leveling off at 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 6.9%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then fell 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 SADC dropped modestly to X ha, almost unchanged from the year before. In general, the harvested area, however, showed a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 6.4% 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 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of onions and shallots were exported in SADC; with a decrease of -10.2% on 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports declined to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 35%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 82% of total exports in 2022. Tanzania (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Namibia (X tons). All these countries together took near 16% share of total exports. Madagascar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Madagascar (+6.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Madagascar emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +6.7% from 2012-2022. Namibia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tanzania (-3.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+6.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Tanzania saw its share reduced by -5.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest onion and shallot supplier in SADC, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Namibia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Namibia (-0.1% per year) and Tanzania (-5.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the export price saw a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 20%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 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 Namibia ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+7.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Onion And Shallot Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of onions and shallots, when their volume decreased by -15.6% to X tons. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, onion and shallot imports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the eight major importers of onions and shallots, namely Mozambique, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Mauritius, Zambia, Swaziland, Namibia and South Africa, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +8.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mozambique ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported onions and shallots in SADC, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 13% share.

In Mozambique, onion and shallot imports increased at an average annual rate of +18.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritius (+4.4% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+9.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import 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 importers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+9.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform