By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan's fresh onion, shallot and dried onion exports generated $21.68 million in FY2025-26 from shipments totalling nearly 109,758 tonnes, with bulk fresh sales centred on Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka and dried onion consignments headed primarily to Saudi Arabia, Australia and the United States.

Fresh onions and shallots accounted for $19.79 million and 108,680 tonnes, representing 91.3 percent of total export earnings from the two product categories, official figures available with Wealth Pakistan show. Fresh produce thus remained the main contributor to the combined export value.

Malaysia emerged as the largest destination for fresh onions and shallots, purchasing $7.27 million worth of shipments, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $4.99 million and Sri Lanka at $3.67 million. Together, these three markets accounted for $15.93 million, or 80.5 percent of total fresh onion and shallot export earnings.

Other significant destinations included Oman, which purchased $1.56 million worth of fresh onions and shallots, Singapore with $839,876 and Qatar with $825,249. The six leading destinations collectively accounted for 96.8 percent of the category's export value.

Dried onion shipments contributed another $1.90 million from approximately 1,077 tonnes. Although their volume was substantially smaller, the average export unit value stood at $1.76 per kilogram, compared with about $0.18 per kilogram for fresh onions and shallots, reflecting the different characteristics and commercial values of the two product forms.

Saudi Arabia was the leading destination for dried onions, accounting for $812,428, or 42.8 percent of the category's export value. Australia followed with $270,001, while the United States purchased $251,021 worth of dried onions. Together, these three markets represented 70.3 percent of dried onion export earnings.

The dried onion trade also reached the United Kingdom, which purchased $163,968 worth of shipments, followed by the United Arab Emirates at $126,951, Canada at $73,304 and France at $60,791, demonstrating a different geographical distribution from the fresh onion trade.

The distinction was particularly visible in the United States and Australia. Dried onion export earnings from the United States reached $251,021, compared with $56,856 for fresh onions and shallots. Similarly, dried onion exports to Australia were valued at $270,001, against $37,729 for the fresh category.

Overall, the figures highlight two complementary export channels, with fresh onions and shallots generating earnings through large-volume shipments to major Asian and Gulf markets, while dried onions contributed additional foreign exchange at higher average unit values across a different mix of overseas destinations.

Credit: INP-WealthPk