Asparagus market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European fresh asparagus market opened the period at 388 thousand tons in 2018, but was immediately influenced by an oversupply that collapsed prices and prompted a state-supported reduction in cultivation areas. This initiated a structural shift toward greater import dependence, with imports supplying around 75% of German consumption. Market volume fell to 375 thousand tons in 2019, then plummeted to 319 thousand tons in 2020 when COVID-19 lockdowns wiped out foodservice demand, forcing a complete shift to retail sales supported by promotions.

A sharp rebound followed in 2021, lifting the market back to 388 thousand tons. This recovery was driven by more favorable producer prices, which improved sales and export opportunities, aided by subsidies for new-generation farms. However, high inflation in 2022 heightened consumer price sensitivity, dampening demand and reducing the market to 354 thousand tons. The decline continued to 311 thousand tons in 2023 as extreme weather events, including late frosts and floods, caused significant harvest losses in southwestern Germany.

Throughout these years, the market was also shaped by the introduction of the 'Label Rouge' quality mark for French asparagus, altering quality perceptions. Concurrently, rising production costs, reflected in a producer price index 18.7% above 2020 levels, squeezed margins. The overall downward trajectory from 2018 to 2023 resulted from this combination of structural oversupply adjustments, pandemic disruption, inflationary pressure on consumption, and adverse weather impacts on supply.

Production asparagus in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Europe's asparagus production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 317.9 K t, representing a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 2.9%, which equates to an annualized decline of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 334.4 K t, with the largest annual increase of 2.2% occurring that same year. The most significant annual decline was observed in 2019, when production dropped by 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Europe's asparagus production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 712 M $ US, reflecting a substantial decrease of 28.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 17.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 407 M $ US, while the largest annual increase of 9.3% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports asparagus from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Europe's asparagus exports rebounded. In 2020, exports amounted to 60.4 K t, marking a significant increase of 48.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 40.6 K t, with the largest annual decline of 13.4% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland (accounting for 9.5% of exports in volume), Norway (1.7%), and the United Arab Emirates (0.5%) were the top buyers of asparagus from Europe. Together, these three countries represented 11.7% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's asparagus export value reached 325.2 M $ US in 2020, showing a rise of 7.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 303.3 M $ US, with the largest annual decline of 4.4% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Switzerland (12.8% of export value), Norway (2.8%), and the United Arab Emirates (0.8%) played leading roles in Europe's asparagus exports by value. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 16.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020

Imports asparagus to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's asparagus imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 61.3 K t, corresponding to a sharp reduction of 34.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 100.6 K t, with the largest annual increase of 30.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (29.1% of import volume), Mexico (6.8%), and the United States (1.6%) remained the primary sources for asparagus imports into Europe. Together, these three countries accounted for 37.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe's asparagus import value reached 551.5 M $ US, showing a modest increase of 1.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 3.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 561.6 M $ US, with the largest annual increase of 5.3% occurring that year. The most significant annual decline was observed in 2019, when import value fell by 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period 2017–2020, Peru (34.5% of import value), Mexico (6.6%), and the United States (1.4%) consistently held leading positions in Europe's asparagus import structure by value. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 42.5% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020