Asparagus market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the German asparagus market volume declined from 153.4 thousand tons to 150.0 thousand tons. This initial contraction was driven by a deliberate reduction in cultivation areas implemented after an oversupply and very low prices in 2018, which led to a decrease in the number of asparagus farms and domestic production.

Market volume continued to fall in the following years, reaching a low of 127.1 thousand tons in 2022 after a brief recovery in 2021. In value terms, however, the market exhibited significant growth, peaking at 950.6 million dollars in 2021, indicating a period of substantial price increases that offset the physical volume decline.

By 2023, the physical market volume stabilized at 128.1 thousand tons, while the market value rose sharply to 934.9 million dollars. This price-driven value growth was underpinned by producer prices that were 18.7% higher than in 2020. Local harvests were constrained by adverse weather conditions including late frosts, heavy rainfall, and flooding, which limited domestic output. Concurrently, sustained consumer demand for fresh asparagus maintained pressure on the market, reinforcing reliance on imports. For the 2024 season, similar weather challenges persisted and cultivation areas remained restricted to prevent oversupply.

Production asparagus in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany maintained the fourth position globally in asparagus production volume.

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Germany's asparagus production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 117.6 K t of asparagus, marking a 10.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 133.0 K t, with the largest increase of 1.6% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's asparagus output was valued at 719.5 M $ US, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 8.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 16.7%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 3.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 11.1%.

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

Exports asparagus from Germany

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, asparagus exports from Germany totaled 3 920 t, representing an 18.7% decline compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 20.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 18.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three largest markets for Germany's asparagus exports in volume terms were France, Switzerland, and Austria, which together accounted for 65.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's asparagus exports were valued at 24.0 M $ US, a slight decrease of 1.8% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 21.0 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 24.4 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 12.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland (38.4% of export value), France (16.3%), and Austria (15.7%) remained the top buyers of German asparagus in value terms, collectively representing 70.4% of total exports.

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

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

Imports asparagus to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's asparagus import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 22 897 t, reflecting a 5.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 8.9%, with a CAGR of -3.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest sources for Germany's asparagus imports in volume terms were Spain, Greece, and Italy, which together made up 68.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's asparagus import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 94.6 M $ US, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 6.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 106.1 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (30.6% of import value), Greece (18.9%), and Peru (16.3%) formed the main cluster of markets for Germany's asparagus imports in value terms, with a combined share of 65.8% of total flows.

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

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