Top Onion Producing Countries and Surprising Facts

Discover which countries grow the most onions — India leads with over 26 million tonnes. Includes fun facts & health benefits

 largest producer of onions 🧅 in the world

India is the largest producer of onions 🧅 in the world. More than 26 million tonnes of onions are produced here every year. China is the second largest onion producer in the world. Let us know about some major onion growing countries.

How much onion is produced in India?

 India produces around 26.7 million tonnes of onion every year. This is a major share of the total onion production of the world. Indian onions are exported in both fresh and processed (e.g. flakes, powder, paste) forms.

Bangladesh, Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries are among its biggest export markets. 

•  India 

India is the largest producer of onion 🧅 in the world. Every year 26.7 million tonnes of onion is produced here. It is cultivated on more than 1 million hectares of land. The major onion growing states in India are Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

• China 

China ranks second in onion production. Every year 23.5 million tonnes of onion is produced here. Onion is mainly cultivated in provinces like Shandong, Henan and Inner Mongolia.

• Egypt 

Egypt About 3.3 million tonnes of onions are grown in Egypt every year. Due to the dry climate and availability of irrigation, Egyptian onions have a long shelf life. Due to this, onions are exported in large quantities to Europe and Africa.

• Turkey

 Turkey produces about 2.5 million tons of onions every year. The Anatolian region of Turkey is suitable for onion cultivation. Turkish onions are used in local cuisine.

Fun Facts About Onions

1. Onions have been used for more than 5,000 years. The ancient Egyptians considered it sacred. It was even buried with the Pharaohs (kings)! Because of its round shape and layers, the onion was considered a symbol of eternity.
2. A sustainable food used around the world Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the world. From curries to stir-fries, onions are used in many dishes.
3. Not just the taste Onion is a good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory chemicals. It is beneficial for the heart and immune system. It is good in taste and also good for health
4. There are many varieties of onions, which differ not only in taste but also in their uses. For example, red onions are usually eaten raw, yellow onions are roasted, and white onions are more pungent.
5. They make you cry When onions are cut, sulfur compounds are released from them, which cause irritation in the eyes and tears. To reduce this irritation, you can cool the onions before cutting them.