Australian Production
Onions are Australia’s fourth largest vegetable crop accounting for 9% of total vegetable production with a gross value of $126 million in 2003/04. Onion production is centered on South Australia and Tasmania, although all states produce significant volumes. In 2005, we produced 256,000 tonnes of white, brown & red onions and shallots. Approximately 14% of the onion crop is exported, principally to: Germany, Netherlands, UK and France. Brown onions are the primary export crop although export demand is increasing for white and red onions. Tasmania is the predominant exporting state accounting for between 80 to 85% of export volumes. Small quantities of fresh onions are imported but the majority of imports are dried onions from the USA. Total area planted to onions is now 5500 ha grown by approximately 500 growers. Average onion yields are increasing Australian consumption appears to have declined from 12.9 kg per person in 1999 to 11.4 kg per person in 2002 based on national averages.