Asparagus market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The asparagus market volume in Eastern Europe grew from 18 165 t in 2018 to 23 150 t in 2023, peaking at 29 217 t in 2022. Initial expansion was supported by a 44% surge in imports of fresh and frozen asparagus in 2018 compared to the prior year, alongside the entry of domestic producers who began active cultivation using imported planting material from the Netherlands and adopted new water-shock cooling technology to preserve freshness. Investor interest in asparagus as a promising crop signaled growing industry commitment, even as the market temporarily contracted in 2020.

A sharp rise in market volume occurred in 2021-2022, driven by increased domestic harvests reaching 350-400 tons and the emergence of new product segments like processed and canned asparagus, which broadened consumer choice. During this period, intense procurement of imported asparagus from new sources such as China and Peru, coupled with stable demand for the fresh product, sustained growth despite the influence of geopolitical sanctions and external economic factors.

The market adjusted in 2023 with volume declining to 23 150 t. Industry reports highlighted ongoing expansion of domestic production areas, improved cultivation techniques, and the development of new supply contracts to regions including Moscow and North Ossetia, which strengthened distribution channels. Concurrently, asparagus maintained its popularity as a seasonal gourmet product, supporting steady consumption patterns throughout the full period.

Production asparagus in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, asparagus production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a decline. In 2019, production reached its peak at 19,990 tons, but by 2020 it had fallen to 18,420 tons, representing a modest 7.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 16.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of asparagus production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) stood at 68,262 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, the overall value rose by 16.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 73,067 thousand US dollars. That year also saw the largest increase of 24.6%, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports asparagus from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, asparagus exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 3,761 tons, reflecting a substantial 21.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 29.2%, with an average annual decrease of 10.9%. The sharpest drop was observed in 2018 at 25.7%, while 2019 saw a notable increase of 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria were the primary destinations for asparagus exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in terms of volume. Germany accounted for 42.0% of exports, Switzerland for 13.0%, and Austria for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 64.0% of total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of asparagus exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 13,938 thousand US dollars, showing a 10.3% decline compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 27.4%, with an average annual decline of 10.1%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 20.2%, while 2019 experienced a slight increase of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria formed the main group of destinations for asparagus exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. Germany held a 33.3% share, Switzerland 22.0%, and Austria 13.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.4% of total export value during this timeframe.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports asparagus to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Asparagus imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3,110 tons, representing a slight 1.7% decrease from 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports actually increased by 19.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3,298 tons. That year also saw the largest increase of 26.6%, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, imports of asparagus into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in terms of volume were relatively evenly distributed among various sources. Germany accounted for 16.0% of imports, Spain for 15.2%, and Peru for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 44.0% of total import flows, indicating a lack of concentration on a few key suppliers.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, asparagus imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. The import value for that year was 15,286 thousand US dollars, down 2.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased significantly by 53%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 15,716 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a substantial 56.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports of asparagus into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Germany accounted for 18.7% of imports, Spain for 16.0%, and Peru for 13.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.3% of total import flows, reflecting a diversified import structure.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020