Whether they’re chopped and on top of a hot dog or burger, or mixed into a salad or a baked dish—it seems that many Canadians can’t get enough onion in their lives.
In 2024, Canadian farmers produced a record 298 564 tonnes of fresh dry onions, with a farm gate value of $181.1 million. That’s up from 276 565 tonnes in 2023—and shreds the previous record of 287 499 tonnes set in 2022.
Contributing to the record haul in 2024 were all-time highs in hectares planted (6,485) and harvested (6,325), numbers that have trended upward over time alongside production since we started tracking the current data series in 2002.
The record production in 2024 came as growing conditions improved from challenging wet growing conditions in 2023 in Eastern Canada. Most dry onions are grown in Ontario and Quebec.
Also reaching new heights in 2024 were fresh French shallots and green onions (19 367 tonnes) and leeks (7 198 tonnes). They are also mostly grown in Ontario and Quebec. (Though a leek technically isn’t an onion, it’s close enough—we’re including it here!)
Potato-leek soup, perhaps? There might have been a lot of it made last year, given record potato production.
Imports higher than exports
In 2024, Canada exported over 67 million kilograms (kg) of fresh or chilled onions and shallots, valued at $89.2 million. This is down from 2022, when over 83 million kg, valued at $104.0 million, marked an all-time high in both export values and quantities.
In 2024, Canada exported over 67 million kilograms (kg) of fresh or chilled onions and shallots, valued at $89.2 million. This is down from 2022, when over 83 million kg, valued at $104.0 million, marked an all-time high in both export values and quantities.
Imports topped 268.4 million kg in 2024, eclipsing the previous record of 248.4 million kg in 2021.
From January to July 2025, Canada imported 163.2 million kg of fresh or chilled onions and shallots and exported 26.4 million kg.
Cheaper in 2025
Higher domestic production may be a contributing factor to lower prices than last year at the grocery store. In July 2025, Canadians paid an average nationwide price of $5.57 per kilogram for onions, less than the $6.21 per kilogram one year earlier.
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