Onions are a key ingredient in many cuisines worldwide. China leads as the top onion producer, with an impressive 24,040,509 tonnes annually¹. India is a close second, producing 21,415,425 tonnes each year¹. Onions are the second most eaten vegetable after potatoes, with a global production of 93,226,400 tonnes yearly¹.

Onion Production by Country in 2022

• China is the world’s largest onion producer, contributing over 24 million tonnes annually.
• India is the second-largest onion producer, harvesting over 21 million tonnes per year.
• Onions are the second most consumed vegetable globally, with a total worldwide production of 93 million tonnes.
• Onion consumption per capita is highest in Tajikistan, followed by Niger and Uzbekistan.
• The global onion export market is valued at over $100 million, with China being the largest exporter.

India’s Onion Dominance

India leads the world in onion production, making a big part of the global onion supply². It’s the second-biggest producer after China, with about 28.5% of the world’s onions³. Most of India’s onions come from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka³.

Key Onion Producing States

Maharashtra is India’s top onion producer, thanks to its fertile soil and good climate². It’s where you’ll find major onion farms in Nasik, Pune, and other places². Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh are also big onion producers, each with their own growing methods.

High Yields and Modern Practices

India’s onion farms are among the most productive in the world, thanks to new farming methods and better irrigation⁴. Trade reforms in the 1990s helped boost onion exports, making it easier for farmers and companies to sell onions both at home and abroad⁴. But, the industry still faces issues like price changes, quality problems, and logistics that need new solutions⁴.

India is a big name in the onion export market². In 2023, it sent out nearly 2.5 million tonnes of onions, ranking second after China². This growth is thanks to better farming, storage, and transport, plus easier trade rules⁴.

“India needs to implement proactive measures to sustain its position in the global onion market.”

³

China: Major Producer and Consumer

China is the second-biggest onion producer in the world⁵. It makes over 20 million tonnes of onions every year⁶. This makes China a key player in the global onion market.

Leading Onion Producing Provinces

In China, onions are mainly grown in a few key provinces. Gansu in the northwest is a big producer, making up 30% of China’s onions⁶. Shandong is another major producer, known for its strong-tasting green onions, and makes about 15% of China’s onions⁶.

Other important places for onion farming are Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Yunnan. Each area has its own special onions and farming ways.

Diverse Varieties and Production Seasons

China grows many types of onions, with red onions making up about 75% of its production⁶. The rest are white or yellow onions. This variety meets different tastes and needs in the market.

China’s onions are grown in spring, summer, and autumn. This means onions are available all year round.

New onion seeds and better farming methods have made China’s onion yields go up over the last ten years⁶. This has made China a big onion producer and user.

“China is the world’s biggest producer, importer, and consumer of food, with the world’s largest food workforce estimated at around 315 million laborers.”⁷

United States – Significant Grower and Exporter

The United States is a top onion producer worldwide⁸. It’s a big player in the global red onion market and exports a lot of onions⁸.

Major Onion Producing States

California leads in onion production in the US, making up 31% of the total⁹. It’s the only place that grows both spring and summer onions, with 16% being spring onions⁹. Oregon, Idaho, and Washington also play big roles in onion farming.

Oregon produces over 25% of the US onions⁸. Idaho and eastern Oregon are known for sweet onions like Walla Walla. Washington is the top producer of yellow onions, which keep well⁸. California grows many onion types all year in different places⁹.

The US is a big onion grower and exporter⁸. It sends out about 30% of its onions each year, worth over $450 million⁸. Mexico and Canada get most of these onions, showing the US’s key role in meeting global demand⁸.

“The United States’ onion industry is a testament to the country’s agricultural prowess, with innovative farming techniques and a diverse range of high-quality onion varieties.”

Egypt’s Onion Cultivation Significance

Egypt is a big name in the onion market worldwide¹⁰. It produces about 2.3 million tonnes of onions every year, making it one of the top onion producers¹⁰. Most of the onions grow in the fertile Nile Delta, near Cairo, thanks to its mild climate¹⁰.

The soil in this area is perfect for onions because it keeps moisture well, helping the bulbs grow big¹⁰. Egypt mainly grows red onions, which last a long time and are in high demand¹⁰. The country has also improved its irrigation to meet the growing need for onions and other veggies¹⁰.

Onion farming in Egypt goes way back to the Middle Ages, when it was famous for its onions¹⁰. Even King Ramses IV was buried with onions, showing how important onions were in ancient Egypt¹⁰.

Now, Egypt’s onion industry is still going strong, becoming a big exporter¹¹. In 2022, it sent over 250,000 metric tons of onions to other countries, including a lot of red onions¹¹. The Netherlands, the UK, and Germany are big buyers of Egyptian onions¹¹.

The onion market is growing fast, with a 11.51% annual growth rate from 2023 to 2028¹². Egypt is well-placed to benefit from this trend, thanks to its long onion farming history and good location¹².

“Egyptian onion farmers have suffered significant losses, reaching $500 per acre in the last two years.”¹⁰

Even with challenges, Egypt’s onion industry is crucial for the world’s food supply, providing top-quality onions¹⁰. As onion demand keeps rising, Egypt’s role in onion production is set to grow even more¹².

Iran’s Growing Export Focus

Iran is a big onion producer, making nearly 2 million tonnes each year. This is 5% of the world’s onions¹³. Most of these onions come from the central and northeastern parts of the country. The dry climate there makes the onions taste strong and flavorful¹⁴.

Semi-Arid Climate Impacts Flavor

The dry climate in Iran affects the taste of its onions¹⁴. About 70% of Iran’s onions are red onions. They have a bold taste that people around the world love¹⁴.

Export Market Expansion

Iran is working to sell more onions to countries like Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, and the Persian Gulf¹⁴. In 2022, they sold 478,000 tonnes of onions, which is 24% more than before¹⁵. Iran has also raised onion export duties to 100% to control prices after they went up by 43.9%¹⁴.

Iran is improving its storage and transport systems to send more onions to the world¹³. They focus on quality and making onions easy to get, which is making them a big name in onion trade¹³¹⁴.

“Iranian onions are known for their high quality due to suitable weather conditions and traditional farming methods.”

biggest onion producer in the world

India leads the world in onion production, growing over 21 million tonnes every year. This makes it the biggest onion producer globally¹⁶. China and the United States are also major producers, adding a lot to the world’s onion supply¹⁶¹⁷.

The best places for growing onions have dry, temperate climates. These conditions help onions grow big and flavorful¹⁶. Onions are key in many cuisines, offering nutrition and versatility¹⁶. They are a staple crop in many countries, helping with food security and economic growth¹⁶¹⁸.

India’s onion production is huge, with 13.4 million tonnes harvested each year¹⁸. China produces about 24.2 million tonnes, and the United States around 3.1 million tonnes¹⁸.

In India, onions are grown in two cycles, with over 12 million tonnes exported yearly¹⁶. China uses a lot of land for onions, producing 11.16 million tonnes on average¹⁶.

The world produces 74.3 million tonnes of onions¹⁶. The United States plants 125,000 acres of onions, making about 6.2 billion pounds of onions¹⁶.

India is the top onion producer, playing a big role in the global food market¹⁶¹⁸¹⁷.

Turkey’s Renowned Sivri Onions

Turkey is a leader in the world of food, known for its wide variety of onions, especially the Sivri onion¹⁹. It produces the most onions each year, a whopping 1.9 million tonnes¹⁹. This shows Turkey’s skill in farming and the key role onions play in its food.

The Sivri onion is small but packs a big punch in flavor¹⁹. Its unique shape adds a special taste and smell to many Turkish dishes. You can find it in everything from firikli bulgur pilavi to karides guvec, a tasty prawn and vegetable dish¹⁹.

Turkey is home to many onion types, each suited to its different regions²⁰. Whether it’s the Mediterranean’s olive oil dishes or the Black Sea’s corn-based meals, onions are key²⁰.

Onions are essential in Turkish cooking, thanks to the country’s farming skills and creative cooks²⁰. Even as Turkey’s food scene changes, the Sivri onion and others like it stay central to its food stories¹⁹.

“Turkish cuisine is globally renowned for its meat dishes, such as various types of kebabs, meatballs, casseroles, and stews, showcasing a wide range of culinary offerings.”²⁰

Despite challenges like the 2023 earthquakes, Turkey’s love for its food remains strong²¹. Places like Meriç Çiftliği keep offering the unique tastes that make Turkish food special²¹.

The world is discovering more about Turkish food, and the Sivri onion is leading the way¹⁹. It shows Turkey’s commitment to keeping its food traditions alive and growing¹⁹.

Russia’s Onion Production Dominance in Europe

Russia is the largest onion grower in Europe, mainly in the central black earth region²². In 2018, it produced about 1.6 million tons of onions, ranking 9th globally²². The country aims to boost onion exports, using its lead in European onion production.

After the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, Russia’s agriculture faced big challenges. Livestock and grain planting area fell by 25%²². Use of fertilizers and other inputs also dropped, hurting crop yields²². But, the 2014 ruble devaluation and sanctions led to more domestic farming, including onion production²².

The southern parts of Russia have rich chernozem soil, with 7% of the land suitable for farming, and 60% for crops²². Yet, changes in the late 20th century hurt Russian farming. For example, Tuva lost 10.37 times more arable land from 1990 to 2015²². Magadan Oblast and Murmansk Oblast also saw big losses, and Moscow Oblast lost 2.11 times more land²².

As the european onion production leader, Russia is working to increase onion exports. It has vast agricultural resources and wants to diversify its economy²². With its fertile soil and good climate, Russia is set to keep leading in the European onion market²².

Netherlands: Onion Innovation Powerhouse

The Netherlands may not be the biggest onion producer, but it leads in onion research and innovation²³. Dutch seed companies are leading the way with new onion varieties. Enza Zaden spends $100 million a year on research and introduces about 150 new vegetable varieties yearly²³.

Greenhouses in the Netherlands are key to growing and spreading these new onion seeds fast²³. Producers there combine breeding, seed making, and automated harvesting. This ensures they produce high-quality onions consistently²³.

New Variety Development

The Netherlands is a hub for onion seed innovation, thanks to its strong seed industry and research focus²³. Enza Zaden’s seeds help grow over 12 billion heads of lettuce each year. This shows the company’s big impact on global vegetable production²³.

High-Tech Production Methods

The Netherlands uses advanced tech in its onion production²³. Its greenhouses produce nearly a million tons of tomatoes yearly, with exports worth about $2 billion²³. Companies like PlantLab are expanding their high-tech farms, showing the Netherlands’ skill in sustainable farming²³.

The Netherlands sends out about two-thirds of its onions to other countries. This makes it a key player in onion innovation worldwide²³.

“The Netherlands’ onion industry is a testament to the country’s commitment to agricultural innovation and its ability to lead the way in meeting the world’s growing food demands.”

Onion Farming Challenges and Innovations

Onion farming is a key part of global agriculture, facing many challenges. These challenges need new solutions. Onion farmers deal with environmental issues and diseases to keep yields high and quality top-notch²⁴.

Environmental and Disease Pressures

Climate change brings new problems for onion growers. Unpredictable rain, long droughts, and extreme weather threaten crops²⁵. Diseases like downy mildew, purple blotch, and Fusarium wilt can destroy harvests. Farmers must find ways to manage these diseases²⁶.

Cutting-Edge Agronomic Advances

The onion industry is using new tech to boost productivity and efficiency. Advanced systems like True-AI have changed how onions are graded and sorted. This cuts down on manual labor and ensures accuracy²⁴. New onion seeds and soil supplements help fight environmental stress and diseases²⁶.

New tech in storing and processing onions keeps quality high and extends their shelf life. As demand for onions grows, the farming industry must keep innovating to meet consumer needs²⁴.

“By embracing True-AI, onion packers can achieve more accurate and consistent onion grading, leading to increased efficiency, reduced waste, enhanced profitability, improved customer satisfaction, and a competitive advantage in the market.”²⁴

The onion farming industry is always changing. Using new tech and innovative farming practices is key to overcoming challenges. By working together and focusing on sustainability, onion farming can provide a steady supply of this important crop for the future²⁶²⁴.

Pakistan’s Regional Onion Diversity

Pakistan is among the top 10 onion producers worldwide²⁷. It grows onions in various climates, from the warm south to the cool north. The country produces over 1.7 million tonnes of onions every year²⁷. Data from 2015 to 2019 shows how the industry has grown²⁷.

Table 1 in the report lists the main onion varieties grown in Pakistan²⁷. It shows the wide range of onions produced. Table 2²⁷ gives details on onion production by district. This highlights where onions are grown and the specialization in each area.

Pakistan’s main crops are wheat and rice, but onions are also a big deal²⁸. Efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the supply chain are underway²⁸. These efforts could make Pakistani onions more popular worldwide, thanks to their quality and nutritional value.

Source Links

1. PDF – https://www.nab.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Market-Intelligence-Report-Onion.pdf
2. Onion exports: How Pakistan briefly won at India’s cost in unlikely matchup – https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/10/onion-exports-how-pakistan-briefly-won-at-indias-cost-in-unlikely-matchup
3. Export performance and comparative analysis of onion-with reference to India – https://www.mathsjournal.com/pdf/2023/vol8issue3/PartB/8-3-7-961.pdf
4. Onion Exports from India: List of Onion Exporters in India – https://medium.com/@priyagarg1199/onion-exports-from-india-list-of-onion-exporters-in-india-447edd938387
5. List of largest producing countries of agricultural commodities – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_producing_countries_of_agricultural_commodities
6. Agriculture in China – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_China
7. Top Agricultural Producing Countries in the World – https://catking.in/top-agricultural-producing-countries-in-the-world
8. Nefartete Company The Biggest Exporters of Red Onion: A Global Guide – https://medium.com/@idealtopfive/nefartete-company-the-biggest-exporters-of-red-onion-a-global-guide-a653bf7492a5
9. PDF – https://apps1.cdfa.ca.gov/FertilizerResearch/docs/Onion_Production_CA.pdf
10.  Cost of Onions Out of Reach for Many Egyptians – https://zawia3.com/en/onion/
11. Red Onions: A Flavorful Egyptian Export – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/red-onions-flavorful-egyptian-export-geziraunited-0ikef
12. Unlocking Potential for Intra-African Trade in the Year of AfCFTA Implementation – Research Desk Consulting Limited – https://researchdesk.consulting/onion-production-and-processing-in-africa-unlocking-potential-for-intra-african-trade-in-the-year-of-afcfta-implementation/
13. Which Country Produces The Most Onions? – Global Top Stats – https://globaltopstats.com/which-country-produces-the-most-onions/
14. Onion Exports from Iran – https://surinexport.com/onion-exports-from-iran/
15. Global onion market – which countries increased their imports and exports the most in 2022? • EastFruit – https://east-fruit.com/en/news/global-onion-market-which-countries-increased-their-imports-and-exports-the-most-in-2022/
16. The Top Onion Producing Countries In The World – https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-top-onion-producing-countries-in-the-world.html
17. Which Country Produces the Most Dry Onion in the World? – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/which-country-produces-most-dry-onion-world-anna-sergeeva
18. World Onion Production by Country – https://www.atlasbig.com/en-us/countries-onion-production
19. Tag: onion | Ozlem’s Turkish Table – https://ozlemsturkishtable.com/tag/onion/
20. Turkish Cuisine – Turkish Gastronomy and Culinary Culture – https://eskapas.com/turkish-cuisine/
21. Cook This: 3 Turkish recipes from Sebze, including a summery meze – https://nationalpost.com/life/food/vegetarian-turkish-recipes-sebze
22. Agriculture in Russia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Russia
23. Cutting-edge tech made this tiny country a major exporter of food – https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/netherlands-agriculture-technology/
24. 7 Innovative Onion Packers Embrace True-AI to Transform the Market | AgriTechTomorrow – https://www.agritechtomorrow.com/article/2023/12/7-innovative-onion-packers-embrace-true-ai-to-transform-the-market/15118
25. Empowering Senegalese Onion Farmers to Cope with Climate Change and Increase Productivity | AWARD – https://awardfellowships.org/news/empowering-senegalese-onion-farmers-to-cope-with-climate-change-and-increase-productivity-a-one-planet-laureate-candidates-participatory-research/
26. Conservation and Global Distribution of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Germplasm for Agricultural Sustainability – https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/18/3294
27. Onion – https://phdec.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Product-Report-Onion.pdf
28. Pakistan Among World’s Largest Food Producing Countries – http://www.riazhaq.com/2021/01/pakistan-among-worlds-largest-food.html