China: China’s onion exports in 2021 were lower than the average of recent years

The cumulative export volume in 2021 is 645,600 tons (645,614,589 kg), a decrease of 212,900 tons, and 24.80% compared with 2020.

In 2021, China’s onion export volume was significantly lower than the average level in recent years, mainly due to the following reasons: First, due to the reduction of onion planting area in China this year, the high onion price, cost and profit limit exports to a certain extent. Second, the overall quality of this season’s onions is average, the supply of high-quality goods is low, and many supply sources do not meet export standards. Third, sea freight has skyrocketed, transportation costs are huge, and the RMB appreciation has further weakened the interest of foreign buyers in Chinese onions.

Due to higher onion prices and shipping costs, the export price of onions in 2021 was significantly higher. The average export price of fresh or refrigerated onions in China in 2021 is about US$0.63/kg, an increase of 15.07% compared with 2020 and an increase of 5.44% compared with 2019.

China’s onion exports are mainly fresh or refrigerated, with a small proportion of dried onions. Dried onions for export refer to the whole, diced, sliced, broken, or powdered onions without further processing. The preparation or preservation method is usually drying, including dehydration, drying by distillation, or freeze-drying.

Due to poor port transportation, volatile pandemic prevention and control policies in many countries, coupled with the price of onions in the new season, foreign market demand and other factors, there is still great uncertainty in the export of onions in 2022.