10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Onions and Shallots- According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), there are 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Onions and Shallots in 2021. Basically, Onion (Allium cepa) and Shallots (Allium ascalonicum) is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. It can be used as some ingredients to some dishes. Taxonomically, these crops can be included into Class: Magnoliopsida; Superorder : Lilianae – monocots; Order:Asparagales; Family:Amaryllidaceae; Genus:Allium L.
Based on the World’s production statistics from 2000 to 2020, the harvested areas of onions/shallots is in the stable trend lines with a range around 195 thousand hectares to 210 thousand hectares. Meanwhile, the production of Onions/shallots is in an upward trend with production in 2000 at around 3.5 million tonnes, and it became 4.5 million tonnes in 2021.
Based on the Continent regions, Asia and Africa continent still become the major cultivation area of Onions and Shallots. the output of Onions /shallots in Asia reached 2.4 million tonnes and Africa’s output of shallot was around 1.4 million tons. Furthermore, the minor cultivation regions were in Oceania with output around 256 thousand tonnes, Americas with 277 thousand output, and Europe with 129 thousand of outputs.
Specifically, based on the countries’ production, there are 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Onions and Shallots in 2021. All of the data was obtained from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT). Here are the ranks of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Onions and Shallots
The Rank 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Onions and Shallots
| Rank | Countries | Production of Onions and Shallots in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tonnes) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 869,839 |
| 2 | Mali | 684,653 |
| 3 | Japan | 512,934 |
| 4 | Republic of Korea | 424,457 |
| 5 | Tunisia | 299,486 |
| 6 | New Zealand | 256,545 |
| 7 | Nigeria | 245,041 |
| 8 | Thailand | 191,554 |
| 9 | Türkiye | 126,185 |
| 10 | China, Taiwan Province of | 102,995 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2022 | ||
Brief Descriptions of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Onions and Shallots
1.China, mainland
China still becomes the biggest producer of Onions and Shallots in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Onions and Shallots from this country reached 869,839 tonnes. Geographically, in this country. there are some provinces with huge production of Shallots and Onions. These provinces include Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang provinces
2.Mali
Mali is the 2nd biggest producer of Onions and Shallots in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Shallots and Onions from Mali reached 684,653 tonnes. Geographically, In Mali, there are some favourable areas of crops productions, specifically of shallots. These main regions of shallots cultivation areas in Mali located in Baguineda, Kati, Koulikoro region and Mopti region.
3.Japan
Japan is the 3rd biggest producer of Onions and Shallots in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Shallots and Onions from Japan reached 512,934 tonnes. In this country, there are some unique of Japanese shallot. It calls Rakkyo. Geographically, In Japan, there are some top regions of onion cultivating areas. These areas include Hokkaido (the northernmost island), Hyogo (a district of west central Japan), and Saga (a district in southwestern Japan).
4.Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea is the 4th biggest producers of Onion and Shallots in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Shallots and Onion from Republic of Korea reached 424,457 tonnes. Geographically, Hamyang-county, South Gyeongsang is one of the regions of shallot cultivation in South Korea. in this country, some of the dishes in this country is made from shallots as the ingredients. Some of the dishes that used Shallots, namely Steamed chicken rice, Paua fritters, taro chips, and soft tofu dill cream sauce.
5.Tunisia
Tunisia is the 5th biggest producers of Onions and Shallots in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Shallots and Onions reached 299,486 tonnes. Based of its cultivars, there are some shallots / onions that was planted in Tunisia. Some of them are Blanc Hâtif de Paris, GIZA 6’, ‘Red Amposta’, ‘Z6’, ‘Morada de Amposta’, ‘Yellow Dessex’, ‘Early Yellow Texas Grano 502’ and ‘Keep Red’.
6.New Zealand
New Zealand is the 6th biggest producers of Onion and Shallots in 2021. Statistically, the production of Shallot and Onions from New Zealand reached 256,545 tonnes. in this country, there are some commonly shallots that has been cultivated in New Zealand. Some of them are Monique which is a round and elongated shaped bulb, and Roderique which is an oval shaped bulb. Basically, the sowing time of Shallots in New Zealand is around February to May.
7.Nigeria
Nigeria is the 7th biggest producers of Onions and Shallots in 2021. Statistically, the production of Shallots and Onions from Nigeria reached 245,041 tonnes. Geographically, in Nigeria, onions are cultivated in the northern region of the country. These are Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi and Kebbi.
8.Thailand
Thailand is the 8th biggest producers of Onions and Shallots in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Shallots and Onion from Thailand reached 191,554 tonnes. Geographically, in Thailand, there are some province as the major cultivation area. Ubonratchatani, Lumpoon, and Srisaket Province are some of the main areas of shallot cultivations in Thailand.
9.Türkiye
Turkiye is the 9th biggest producers of Onions and Shallots in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Onions and shallots from this country reached 126,185 tonnes. Geographically, in Turkiye/ Turkey, there are some regions of Onion cultivation areas. These areas located in Ankara, Amasya, Hatay, Eskişehir and Adana. Statistically, based on its contribution, Ankara contributes more than 50% of national onion in Turkey/ Turkiye.
10.China, Taiwan Province of
Taiwan is the 10th biggest producer of Onion and Shallots in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of onions and shallots from Taiwan reached 102,995 tonnes. Geographically, in Taiwan, Shallot was cultivated mainly in the southwest part regions.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Country Producers of Onions and Shallots
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