The consumption of onions is showing an upward trend worldwide. Big consumers coincide to a large extent with the main producers.

Onion growing is widely distributed among countries and regions in the world, and in the last decade, its production figures indicate an upward trend.

• Onion occupies the fourth place in world production of vegetables, with a volume of 57.9 million tons (According to data from FAO, 2005).
• The increase of onion production worldwide is significant and results mainly from the enlargement of the growing areas.
• The main producers are: China (33%), India (10%) and the United States (6%).
• Latin American production represents 9% of world total, and the most remarkable figures correspond to Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Mexico.
• The most outstanding onion producer in Latin America is Brazil, where production reaches 1 million tons and represents 1% of world total.
• Argentina participates with 1% of total world production.
• The main exporter countries concentrate 5% of the total business volume. They are India, the Netherlands, China and Egypt.

ARGENTINE EXPORTS

• Onion is the main horticultural product exported by Argentina. Our country occupies the sixth place in world exports.
• In 2006 the main destination of Argentine shipments was Brazil (85%), followed by the European Union (14%).
• In the first four months of 2007, onion exports reached 120,284 tons, which amounted to 29,940,000 dollars.
• In the period January-April 2007, the main destination was Brazil that received 69,078 tons amounting to 12,634,000 dollars, followed by Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States, among others.
• The largest export volume for the period under analysis (400,000 tons) was registered in 1998. However, sales abroad decreased dramatically afterwards, reaching its minimum figure, 100,000 tons, in 2000.
• After 2000, exports initiated a recovery process that continues at present.

IMPORTS

• The level of onion imports is very low: in 2006, they reached 240 tons. Eighty eight percent of that volume (213 tons), equivalent to US$ 390,000, corresponded to dehydrated onions, and the remaining 12% (27 tons) in the amount of US$ 2,295 pertained to fresh onions.

PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION AND INDUSTRIALIZATION

• Onions are one of the most cultivated vegetables in Argentina. They occupy the third place after beans and potatoes.
• It is estimated that the total cultivated area in the country covers 15,000 to 20,000 hectares. In the last year of the period under analysis, the volume obtained reached 600,000 tons.
• The main production areas are in the provinces of Buenos Aires (36%), Mendoza (18%), Santiago del Estero (14%) and San Juan (12 %). Córdoba, Salta and Río Negro also produce onions but in less significant volumes.
• Due to their climate characteristics the different production zones allow growing early, intermediate and late varieties for fresh consumption and for industrialization.
• The main production areas are in the provinces of Buenos Aires (36%), Mendoza (18%), Santiago del Estero (14%) and San Juan (12 %). Córdoba, Salta and Río Negro also produce onions but in less significant volumes.
• The main destination is the fresh market, but on a very small scale production is also destined to the dehydrating industry.
• The largest increase in the area planted with onions occurred in 1998/99 when production was above 800,000 tons.
• The average yield in the main production zones of our country is 35 tons per hectare.
• The consumption of onions in our country is 11.6Kg/inh/year, represented almost entirely by the fresh product.
• Argentina is located among the countries that consider their consumption of this vegetable as medium level.
• The industry absorbs 3% of the total volume produced in Argentina.
• The only destination for the transformation of this vegetable are dehydration plants. This industrial processing positions our country as the main exporter of dehydrated onions in Latin America.
• This industry concentrates its activity in the province of Mendoza, one of the main producing provinces in the country.

OUTSTANDING FEATURES

• The agro-ecological characteristics of Argentina enable the obtainment of quality onions throughout the year.
• The positive balance originated by production compared to consumption, positions our country as a net exporter.
• Onions together with garlic are the most important fresh vegetables exported.
• The concentration of export destinations (in the Brazilian market) should be analyzed carefully as it increases the exposure of the sector to the oscillations of that market.
• More opportunities for the production of this vegetable will be generated insofar as efforts are focused on the exploitation of, for example, varieties demanded by other markets at present, as it happens with sweet onions, highly appreciated by consumers in the United States.
• While present varieties recover and further improve their yield, the optimization of packing calibration and infrastructure will significantly increase product quality.
• The onion sector would increase its business opportunities if in addition to maintaining present markets it enlarged and diversified its offer of varieties and sales destinations, in accordance with new world consumption trends.

SOURCES CONSULTED

General Customs Administration, DGA - Institute for Rural Development - FAO – AACREA - INTA Cuyo – 120