Onion (Allium cepa L.), a biennial herb of the family Amaryllidaceae, sub-family Allioideae, originated in western Asia and is now cultivated throughout China, ensuring year-round supply. Its domestication dates back to ancient Egypt; Spanish colonists later spread it worldwide, and today it is grown mainly in temperate regions such as Italy, Mexico, Spain and the United States. Abroad it is lauded as the “queen of vegetables” for its high nutritional value.

       China is the world’s largest onion producer and an important exporter. Shipments are concentrated in a handful of markets and consist almost entirely of fresh, chilled bulbs. Price and volume advantages are clear, yet the industry also faces internal and external headwinds.

       Customs figures for January-November 2025 show export earnings of USD 380 million, down 23.15 % year-on-year, while volume rose 1.87 % to 1.154 million tonnes. The average export price fell 24.53 % to USD 0.33 per kg, tracing a “high-start, then-slide” trajectory.

       Monthly data show wave-like swings in value and an unstable trend. April recorded the year’s low (68,000 t) and November the high (150,000 t)—a gap of more than 80,000 t. The second half is decisive: August-November account for 44.8 % of annual volume, reflecting both China’s harvest calendar and overseas consumption peaks.

Market-wise, Chinese onions reach more than 70 countries. Although this looks diversified, the main outlets are still concentrated in Japan, Viet Nam, Hong Kong China, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Russia, the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan and Singapore.

• Japan and Viet Nam each take roughly 22 % of volume

• Hong Kong China accounts for almost 13 %

• Malaysia and South Korea share similar, competitive average prices and are large-scale destinations

       Proximity, low freight cost and similar food cultures make these markets the most stable and voluminous. Land-route shipments to Russia and Central Asia are also rising steadily.

       Exporters are nevertheless urged to cultivate buyers along the “Belt and Road” (Russia, Central Asia, Central & Eastern Europe) to dilute single-market risk. At the same time, Japan, South Korea and the EU apply strict standards on quality, pesticide residues and inspection & quarantine; suppliers must keep upgrading residue-control and bio-security management.

       Overall, China’s onion exports—underpinned by huge output, concentrated growing areas, a mature supply chain and closeness to core consumers—act as a “reliable supplier” in world trade. The next step is to shift from “win by volume” to “win by quality and value”: raise product standardisation, expand further-processing, build proprietary brands and diversify markets, so as to cope better with international competition and domestic fluctuations and secure a higher position in the global value chain.

       As China's first data company, Guomaotong （Big Trade Data） provides import and export customs data for over 90 countries from 2010 to present. It can accurately analyze market distribution and transaction details of import and export enterprises online, and analyze transaction volumes, prices, and supply cycles. It offers reliable data for foreign trade enterprises and industry consulting firms.

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