Order your professional shallot bulbs
Bulbiverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of shallot bulbs, provides market gardeners and traders with a wide selection of certified bulbs, adapted to the requirements of the professional market. Buying your shallot bulbs gives you access to professional quality products, from specialized nurseries, with excellent varietal resistance and high yield. Our batches are carefully selected for their storage capacity, their tolerance to diseases and their adaptation to different types of soil. Take advantage of our producer prices , benefit from dedicated technical support and a responsive sales department to assist you in your choices. Our logistics ensures fast and careful delivery throughout France . Our teams are at your disposal to provide you with personalized advice according to your production needs. Order your shallot bulbs now or request your free quote .
Reference shallot varieties for professional producers
Varietal choice is fundamental for professional producers seeking to optimize their yield and harvest quality. On the French market, certain varieties have established themselves thanks to their recognized agronomic performance and taste qualities.
Jermor Shallot - Reference Variety
Among the renowned traditional shallots, the Jermor shallot stands out for its orange and pale pink skin and its pinkish-white flesh, offering a mild and fragrant taste that is very popular with consumers. Its medium-length shape makes it versatile in cooking. Particularly robust, it displays excellent resistance to drought and is free from the OYDV virus (Onion Yellow Dwarf Virus), guaranteeing more peaceful cultivation. Its productivity is recognized, with a high yield per bulb , making it a profitable choice for market gardeners. In addition, its excellent conservation capacities allow storage for several months after harvest without premature germination, a major asset for stock management.
Longor INRA Shallot - Exceptional performance
The Longor shallot, the result of INRA research, is another exceptional variety prized for its coppery-yellow skin and purplish-pink flesh, recognizable by its elongated shape. It offers a fine, fragrant and very distinctive flavor, sought after by chefs. With a high yield, producing between 6 and 8 shallots per bulb , the Longor ensures high productivity. Its resistant skin gives it excellent long-term storage capacity, also adapting to all types of soil. It is important to note that the Jermor shallot and the Longor together represent more than 70% of certified shallot plants sold in France, attesting to their position as essential references on the professional market for their resistance and reliability.
Complementary varieties with high potential
Beyond these two pillars, other varieties offer interesting specificities. The Biztro shallot, of Dutch origin and often nicknamed the "improved Red Sun", is characterized by its reddish-brown skin and pale red flesh. Its round and very firm shape, combined with a delicious taste and good cooking resistance, make it a versatile option. Its yield is particularly impressive , even surpassing that of the Longor, and it adapts to all types of soil thanks to its good root system, while being suitable for long-term storage.
The Golden Gourmet shallot, the world's most popular yellow variety, is prized for its robust yellow skin and fine, flavorful white flesh. Its very high yield and long-term storage capacity make it a profitable choice for growers.
The Melkior shallot is distinguished by its coppery-pink skin and purplish-white flesh, with a pear or semi-round shape. This variety is very productive, tasty and fragrant, and offers good storage. Its strong resistance to Botrytis and Downy Mildew makes it particularly suitable for organic farming.
The Mikor shallot, recognizable by its coppery skin and white flesh tinged with pink, has a pronounced taste considered "superior". It is a variety with a very good yield, capable of winter storage of up to 180 days , and free from the OYDV virus.
Finally, the Red Sun shallot is characterized by its coppery red skin and pink flesh, with a round shape. Its unique taste, a mixture of onion and garlic, makes it very popular. Although its yield is slightly lower than the Longor and its short-term storage is limited, it is ideal for direct sales of fresh produce . The Yellow Moon shallot, often considered the improved Golden Gourmet, has very robust skin, white flesh and a mild, slightly spicy taste that mellows when cooked. Its excellent yield, slightly higher than the Golden Gourmet, and its very good long-term storage capacity make it an asset for demanding market gardeners. All these varieties are suitable for direct or wholesale sales, thus offering great flexibility to market gardeners in their marketing strategies.
Precocity and fresh market strategy
For the fresh market, the earliness of a shallot variety is an essential criterion, allowing producers to offer products at the right time, often during peak summer demand .
Early varieties - Harvest June-July
Early varieties, such as the Biztro shallot, the Jermor shallot and the Melkior shallot, are particularly interesting. The Biztro, classified as an early shallot, allows for a quick harvest between June and July , guaranteeing fresh shallots for the summer markets. Similarly, the Jermor, also early, is harvested between June and July, ensuring a supply of fresh and tasty shallots for the summer period. The Melkior, also early, reaches maturity more quickly than other varieties and is harvested from July to August, allowing fresh shallots to be offered at the right time for the summer markets.
Mid-early varieties - Commercial flexibility
Mid-early varieties, such as the Longor and Red Sun shallots, also offer significant flexibility. The mid-early Longor shallots are harvested from July to August , providing fresh shallots ready for summer markets. The mid-early Red Sun shallots are harvested from early July to August, ensuring fresh shallots for summer markets and are primarily recommended for direct sales due to their short-term storage capacity.
Late Varieties - Season Extension
Finally, late varieties, such as the Golden Gourmet Shallot and the Mikor Shallot, are ideal for extending producers' market presence. The late Golden Gourmet shallot is harvested from mid-July to August , thus extending the sales season. The late Mikor shallot is harvested from July to August, ensuring the availability of fresh shallots for summer and fall markets. The mid-season Yellow Moon shallot is also harvested from early July to August, providing fresh shallots for summer markets. This diversity in terms of earliness allows market gardeners to plan their crops for an optimized presence on the fresh market throughout the season.
Agronomic techniques and crop optimization
The success of professional shallot cultivation in France is based on rigorous agronomic practices adapted to the specific characteristics of this bulbous vegetable.
Soil preparation and planting
An ideal soil for shallots is characterized by its lightness, excellent drainage and a richness in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally between 6 and 7. Soils that are too compact or wet should be avoided at all costs, as they encourage bulb rot. For heavy soils, incorporating sand or gravel (2 to 3 kg/m²) and creating growing mounds 15 to 20 cm high and 60 to 80 cm wide significantly improve drainage and aeration. Ploughing should be superficial (15 to 20 cm) to loosen the soil without disturbing it excessively, thus promoting root development. An application of well-rotted composted manure (3 to 5 kg/m²) or mature compost (20 to 30 tonnes/ha) is recommended in autumn to improve soil structure and fertility, but it is crucial to avoid recent or unrotted additions just before planting to prevent fungal diseases.
Planting, preferably by hand for precise vertical positioning of the bulbs, is carried out in a furrow 3 to 5 cm deep , with the top of the bulb flush with the ground or just covered with 1 to 2 cm of fine soil. The optimal spacing to maximize yield is 10 to 15 cm between each plant in the row (i.e. 8 to 12 plants per linear meter) and 25 to 30 cm between rows . On a bed, there are generally 2 to 3 rows spaced 45 cm apart over a width of 160 to 180 cm, depending on the material. Planting periods vary according to the varieties and the local climate: from the end of September to the end of November for gray shallots, and from February to April or October to November for red shallots and other varieties.
Maintenance and fertilization
Weed control is essential, as shallots do not tolerate competition well. Mechanical weeding (adapted cultivators, tine harrows) is preferred in organic farming, but regular hoeing is a significant labor-intensive task. Mulching is generally not recommended for shallots because it retains moisture and can promote fungal diseases.
When it comes to fertilization, a balanced supply is crucial. For conventional cultivation, a total of 80 to 120 units/ha of nitrogen (N) , 40 to 60 kg/ha of P2O5 (phosphorus) and 120 to 180 kg/ha of K2O (potash) is recommended, supplemented by 30 to 50 kg/ha of SO3 (sulfur). Nitrogen should be split into 2 to 3 applications from January to March to avoid excesses that would favor the foliage to the detriment of the bulb and increase the risk of disease. Potash is particularly important for the formation and conservation of bulbs. In organic farming, inputs are made via mature compost, well-rotted manure, and organic fertilizers (bone meal, beet vinasse).
Irrigation must be controlled. Shallots fear excess water; drip irrigation is the most recommended system for its precision and water savings (30 to 60% savings) . Watering with 10 to 20 mm of water per week is often sufficient, to be adjusted according to climatic conditions, and must be stopped 2 to 3 weeks before harvest to promote ripening.
Disease and pest management
Shallot cultivation is prone to various diseases and pests. Downy mildew and gray mold are major threats, which can cause significant losses. The onion fly is the main pest.
Preventive methods are essential: a 3- to 5-year crop rotation , avoiding the succession of Alliaceae (garlic, onion, leek) on the same plot, considerably reduces the incidence of soil diseases and pests. The use of certified healthy bulbils and well-drained soil are also key measures. In organic farming, soaking bulbs in diluted vinegar before planting can reduce the risk of fusarium wilt, and heat therapy at 42°C is a preventative measure against nematodes and certain rots. Beneficiaries such as entomopathogenic nematodes against the onion fly or predatory mites against thrips and aphids are recommended for biological control. Intercropping with carrots can help repel the carrot fly. Insect nets with a mesh size of 0.35 mm x 0.85 mm are very effective in blocking pests.
To protect the plot against frost, anti-frost spraying, which keeps the plant temperature just above 0°C by releasing latent heat when the water solidifies, is the most reliable method, protecting down to about -7°C with a flow rate of 30 to 50 m³/ha/h . Against drought, flooding and heavy rain, a precise drip irrigation system, mulching, improvement of soil organic matter, and site improvements such as mounds, grass strips and subsurface drainage (drains spaced 6 to 12 m apart and 60-80 cm deep) are essential.
Harvesting and preservation
The optimum stage of maturity for harvesting shallots is reached when two-thirds of the leaves are dried or yellow , and the foliage lies down naturally, generally 90 to 120 days after planting . Harvesting is preferably done in dry weather to avoid bulb rot. It can be done manually, using a fork-spade to gently lift the bulbs, or mechanized on large areas with specific harvesters.
After harvesting, it is crucial to let the bulbs dry in the shade, in a well-ventilated area, for about 1 week to dry out , to ensure good preservation and avoid mold. For long-term storage, the bulbs must then be stored in a dry, cool (between 0°C and 5°C) and ventilated room, with a relative humidity of 65 to 70% . Varieties such as Biztro, Golden Gourmet, Jermor, Longor, Melkior, Mikor and Yellow Moon are perfectly suited to long-term storage, allowing marketing to extend well beyond the harvest period.
Business opportunities and profitability
Shallot cultivation in France offers diversified commercial outlets , essential to the profitability of professional farms.
Sales channels
Shallots are suitable for both direct and wholesale sales, offering market gardeners great flexibility. Direct sales , via local markets, AMAP (Community-supported agriculture) or on the farm, allow production to be valued without intermediaries, often at better prices. Regional wholesale markets, such as those of the MIN (Ministry of Agriculture), are a classic outlet for large volumes, ensuring rapid access to wholesalers, retailers and restaurateurs. Large and medium-sized stores (GMS) represent a structuring outlet for professionals with significant volumes, but require strict calibration, rigorous traceability and regular supply. Agricultural cooperatives facilitate access to structured markets and offer technical and logistical support.
Market economy
The French shallot market has shown definite dynamism. In February 2025, producer prices experienced a strong acceleration, increasing by 72.8% after a previous increase of 55% , a sign of growing market value. Although yields may have been irregular and shallot areas slightly down in Brittany, the global market for onions and shallots is growing, valued at USD 54.12 billion in 2023 with a projection of USD 64.09 billion in 2025 .
Shallot production costs are significant, particularly in terms of labor (due to manual planting and harvesting) and inputs (fertilizers, mulch), the prices of which have doubled for some in two years. The production cost excluding storage was estimated at at least €0.80/kg in 2023 , with profitability thresholds of up to €1.20/kg . To improve profitability, it is possible to optimize the varietal choice (aiming for 20 to 30 t/ha in conventional) , to mechanize certain stages (especially for seed shallots, reducing labor to less than 30h/ha compared to 300h/ha for planted shallots) and to better manage the planting density and the crop calendar.
Grants and certifications
Shallot cultivation does not benefit from explicitly targeted national or European subsidies, except within the framework of cross-cutting schemes. Producers can obtain support through the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) "Échalote d'Anjou" certification for the promotion of quality marks. Investment aid for farm modernization, water management or agroecological transition is also available through FranceAgriMer, the FEADER and the PCAE, potentially covering 20 to 40% of eligible investments . Organic-certified producers can also benefit from aid for converting to or maintaining organic farming.
Plant certification is a key element in the French professional market. Plants must be SOC (Official Control Service) certified, guaranteeing their origin, variety and health status, with stricter standards than at the European level. Certifications such as IFS, Globalgap and Ecocert are also sought for food safety and compliance with procedures. Quality monitoring includes size (maximum 55 mm for traditional shallots) , a healthy appearance (dry skin, without sprouting or rot), the absence of diseases (especially viruses and nematodes), and compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs).
To summarize: Our shallot bulbs
With expertise dedicated to professional crops, Bulbiverse positions itself as a specialist wholesale supplier of shallot bulbs for all players in the fresh produce and processing markets. Our certified shallot bulbs are selected for their robustness, uniformity, and excellent storage capacity. Buying shallot bulbs from us means benefiting from direct access to batches from specialized nurseries, with strict health guarantees and proven agronomic performance. Professional growers will appreciate the natural resistance to disease, high yields, and drought tolerance, essential for securing a successful crop. Our services include personalized advice, volume-based pricing, and reliable logistics throughout the country. As a specialist wholesale supplier of shallot bulbs , Bulbiverse offers solutions adapted to each growing route, in conventional and organic farming. To secure your campaigns, buying shallot bulbs from Bulbiverse means opting for reliability, traceability, and performance. As a specialist wholesale supplier of shallot bulbs , we put our expertise at the service of your profitability. Don't wait any longer to buy shallot bulbs and strengthen your position in the professional market.
