United Kingdom: Onion And Shallot Market 2025

Onion And Shallot Market Size in the UK

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in the UK onion and shallot market, when its value increased by 16% to $X. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Production in the UK

In value terms, onion and shallot production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 65% against the previous year. Onion and shallot production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of onions and shallots in the UK rose to X tons per ha in 2022, with an increase of 3.2% on the year before. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 9.2%. Over the period under review, the average onion and shallot yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of onions and shallots in the UK dropped modestly to X ha, approximately equating the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 5.3%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the onion and shallot harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Onion And Shallot Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, the amount of onions and shallots exported from the UK fell dramatically to X tons, shrinking by -36.1% on 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports plummeted to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons) was the main destination for onion and shallot exports from the UK, with a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, onion and shallot exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Romania (X tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Poland (X tons), with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Ireland amounted to -6.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Romania (+15.1% per year) and Poland (-7.5% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) remains the key foreign market for onions and shallots exports from the UK, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Ireland stood at -3.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Egypt (+28.8% per year) and the Netherlands (-12.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average onion and shallot export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% 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 decreased by -7.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average export price increased by 51%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Slovenia (+22.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Onion And Shallot Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, purchases abroad of onions and shallots was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 2013 when imports increased by 39%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, onion and shallot imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +31.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main suppliers of onion and shallot imports to the UK, together comprising 82% of total imports. Egypt and New Zealand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 9.7%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +5.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Spain ($X) and Egypt ($X) constituted the largest onion and shallot suppliers to the UK, with a combined 71% share of total imports. Poland and New Zealand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Poland, with a CAGR of +7.9%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 average onion and shallot import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 2.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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