Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupAlliaceous (Allium) bulb vegetables
Scientific NameAllium cepa L. (Aggregatum Group); grey shallots: Allium oschaninii O. Fedtsch.
PerishabilityMedium
Growing Conditions- Photoperiod-responsive bulbing initiated with lengthening daylength (Allium cepa types).
- Sandy loam or loam soils are preferred, though production can occur on a wide range of soils.
- Shallow-rooted crop that benefits from uniform, frequent irrigation; irrigation is reduced as bulbs reach marketable size to facilitate curing and reduce disease.
Main VarietiesFrench Red Shallot, Griselle (grey shallot), Round type, Demi-long type, Long type
Consumption Forms- Fresh culinary use (raw or cooked) as an aromatic allium
- Foodservice ingredient for sauces, dressings, and sauté applications
Grading Factors- Firmness and compactness of bulbs
- Freedom from mould, pests, and damage
- No externally visible shoot growth (sprouting)
- Dry, protective outer skins; allowable skin defects depend on class (UNECE FFV-56)
- Size by maximum diameter; minimum diameter depends on type (UNECE FFV-56)
Planting to HarvestVaries by system; OSU Extension field guidance indicates spring-planted crops harvested in mid-summer and fall-planted crops harvested in early summer (overwintered production generally has a longer cycle than spring plantings).
Market
Fresh shallots are traded internationally as a specialty alliaceous vegetable, but many trade datasets report them jointly with onions under HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled). In 2024, leading exporters by value for HS 070310 included the Netherlands, China, Mexico, India, and Pakistan, while major import markets included the United States, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Canada, and Germany. Supply reliability is shaped by both storage/curing capability (enabling longer holding than many fresh vegetables) and episodic trade-policy interventions in key supplier countries for onions/shallots. Agronomic shocks (e.g., onion thrips outbreaks, which can intensify in hot and arid conditions) can reduce yield and bulb quality and tighten spot availability.
Major Producing Countries- 인도FAO discusses India as the top producer of dry onions and shallots in 2022 (FAOSTAT-referenced context); production and policy actions can influence global allium availability.
- 중국FAO discusses China among major producers of dry onions and shallots in 2022 (FAOSTAT-referenced context); also a major exporter in HS 070310 trade flows.
- 이집트FAO discusses Egypt among major producers of dry onions and shallots in 2022 (FAOSTAT-referenced context); a recurrent supplier into international markets for HS 070310.
- 미국FAO discusses the United States among major producers of dry onions and shallots in 2022 (FAOSTAT-referenced context); also present among top HS 070310 exporters by value in 2024.
- 방글라데시FAO discusses Bangladesh among major producers of dry onions and shallots in 2022 (FAOSTAT-referenced context) and highlights exposure to price spikes linked to seasonality and trade dynamics.
- 인도네시아OSU Extension describes shallot production agronomy and postharvest handling (regional guidance); BPS-Statistics Indonesia publications indicate shallots are a major seasonal vegetable crop in Indonesia.
Major Exporting Countries- 네덜란드Top exporter by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots, so shallots are a subsegment.
- 중국Among top exporters by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots.
- 멕시코Among top exporters by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots.
- 인도Among top exporters by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); exports can be affected by duties, minimum export prices, or prohibitions.
- 파키스탄Among top exporters by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots.
Major Importing Countries- 미국Top importer by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots.
- 영국Among top importers by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots.
- 말레이시아Among top importers by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots.
- 캐나다Among top importers by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots.
- 독일Among top importers by value in 2024 for HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled); HS code aggregates onions and shallots.
Specification
Major VarietiesFrench Red Shallot, Griselle (grey shallot), Chicken Leg Shallot, Dutch Yellow, Commercial types: Round, Demi-long, Long (UNECE FFV-56)
Physical Attributes- Dry bulbs with firm, compact cloves; outer skins should protect the flesh and withstand handling (UNECE FFV-56).
- Free from externally visible shoot growth; free from mould and abnormal external moisture (UNECE FFV-56).
- Roots and stems neatly trimmed; strings/braids may be presented with braided stems (UNECE FFV-56).
Grades- UNECE FFV-56 Class I (good quality; firm and compact; practically free of root tufts except grey shallots).
- UNECE FFV-56 Class II (meets minimum requirements but allows broader defects and root tufts).
- UNECE FFV-56 sizing: minimum diameter 10 mm (grey shallots) and 15 mm (other shallots).
Packaging- Bulk distribution commonly uses sacks/bags or bins after curing; adequate ventilation reduces storage disease risk (OSU Extension).
- Retail/consumer packs commonly include small mesh bags and small trays/boxes (OSU Extension).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest at full maturity -> curing/drying -> cleaning/topping/trimming -> grading/sizing -> packing (bulk or consumer packs) -> ventilated storage (often near 0°C) -> domestic distribution or export.
Demand Drivers- Culinary demand as an aromatic allium for sauces, dressings, and foodservice preparation.
- Preference for consistent bulb firmness and low sprouting incidence in retail and professional kitchens.
Temperature- Cured bulbs store well near 0–2°C (32–35°F) with relatively low RH (about 60–70%) and good air movement to limit decay and sprouting (OSU Extension; UC Davis; FAO).
- Intermediate storage temperatures (roughly 5–25°C) favor sprouting in allium bulbs and are generally avoided for extended storage (UC Davis; FAO).
Atmosphere Control- Controlled-atmosphere storage is generally not a primary tool for long-storage allium bulbs; overly low O2 or high CO2 can cause damage (UC Davis).
Shelf Life- With good curing, airflow, and humidity control, shallots can be stored for 8–10 months under recommended low-temperature/low-humidity conditions (OSU Extension).
- At higher humidity (>70%) and warmer temperatures (about 4–10°C / 40–50°F), sprouting, rooting, and decay progress more rapidly (OSU Extension).
Risks
Trade Policy HighExport restrictions and price-stabilization measures applied to onions under HS 070310 (which commonly aggregates onions and shallots in trade statistics) can rapidly disrupt regional availability and price formation for onion/shallot supply chains. India has used combinations of export prohibition, minimum export price, and export duties in recent years, illustrating policy-driven volatility risk for HS 070310 trade flows.Diversify sourcing across multiple origins and maintain contingency procurement plans; monitor official government notifications and trade-policy changes in key supplier countries.
Pest And Disease MediumOnion thrips (Thrips tabaci) can cause economic losses in allium crops and populations can increase rapidly in hot, arid conditions; thrips also vector viruses such as Iris yellow spot virus that can reduce bulb size and quality.Strengthen IPM programs (field scouting, sanitation, and timely control measures) and screen planting material/transplants where applicable.
Storage And Sprouting MediumQuality and sellable yield can deteriorate in storage due to sprouting/rooting and decay when humidity is too high, ventilation is poor, or temperatures sit in intermediate ranges that favor sprouting.Ensure adequate curing before storage; maintain near-0°C storage with low RH and strong airflow, and avoid extended holding at intermediate temperatures.
Sustainability- Postharvest loss risk is material when curing, ventilation, humidity control, or temperature management is inadequate; improving storage systems reduces waste but may increase energy use where refrigeration is relied upon (FAO; UC Davis; OSU Extension).
- Use of sprout inhibition chemicals (e.g., maleic hydrazide in some production systems) can raise buyer/regulatory scrutiny and residue-compliance requirements depending on destination-market rules (OSU Extension; FAO).
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used for trading fresh shallots internationally?Fresh shallots are typically classified within HS heading 0703 (alliaceous vegetables, fresh or chilled). In many trade statistics, shallots are grouped with onions under HS 070310 (onions and shallots, fresh or chilled).
What quality standard is commonly referenced for commercial grading of fresh shallots?UNECE Standard FFV-56 sets minimum requirements and classifies shallots into Class I and Class II, including criteria such as being sound and clean, free from mould and visible sprouting, and meeting sizing rules (e.g., minimum diameter thresholds).
What storage conditions help maximize shelf life for cured shallot bulbs in trade?Extension and postharvest guidance for shallot/onion bulbs commonly recommends curing first, then storing near 0–2°C (32–35°F) with relatively low relative humidity (around 60–70%) and strong airflow; warmer and more humid storage increases sprouting and decay.