Onion · importers
China ranks twelfth of 96 at $2.0B in the chapter that includes onions, a small number for an economy of its size, and onions are a crop it grows in very large quantity.
| Market | HS 07 imports |
|---|---|
| United States | $16.5B |
| Germany | $8.8B |
| United Kingdom | $5.2B |
| India | $5.1B |
| France | $4.8B |
Figures are for the whole of HS chapter 07 (edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers); onion is only part of it. Source: UN Comtrade, as reported by national authorities; latest available year per market.
Total imports are $2.59T and the chapter is only 0.1% of them, ranking 62nd among China’s import chapters. Electrical machinery at $583.9B, mineral fuels at $504.0B and ores at $251.1B dominate. Fresh vegetables are a minor line in this import bill.
For an onion exporter, that is a caution against reading China as a mass market for imported vegetables.
Spain is just above at $2.4B and Poland just below at $1.7B. China’s 2.1% share of reported world imports is a fraction of the leading market’s. Demand for imported fresh vegetables is likely to be concentrated in particular ports, niches or seasons, so a seller should ask what specific gap the buyer wants filled.
Food and plant imports commonly involve supplier registration, inspection and quarantine steps, and the details are set by the authorities and can change. Do not rely on this page for them: confirm the present requirements directly and ask the buyer which documents they need before shipment.
Agree Incoterm, currency, payment method and discharge port in writing, and allow time for quarantine clearance on arrival.
The Republic of Korea, the USA, Japan and Australia lead the overall source list, which covers industrial and raw-material trade and says nothing about where onions originate. The $2.0B covers all of HS chapter 07, edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, so onions are only part, and re-exports can distort rankings.
Customs shipment records for onions show consignees and quantities. This site’s free marketplace then gives you a way to reach the ones on your shortlist.
Twelfth of 96 markets at $2.0B in 2024, a 2.1% share of reported world imports. Spain is just above at $2.4B and Poland just below at $1.7B.
The chapter is only 0.1% of its imports and ranks 62nd among its import chapters, so imports of fresh vegetables are a small line.
No. Check registration, quarantine and documentation requirements directly with the authorities and your buyer.
Use customs records for onion consignments and read the consignee field for repeat buyers.
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