Asparagus market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, asparagus cultivation areas in Germany were deliberately restricted following an oversupply that had depressed prices. This policy continued into 2019, reducing the number of domestic farms. Consequently, the market became increasingly reliant on imports, primarily from Spain and other European countries, keeping the physical market volume relatively stable around 27 500 to 27 800 tonnes through 2020.

Market volume peaked at 29 869 tonnes in 2021, driven by a significant rise in imports, particularly from Spain, Greece, and Italy, which compensated for declining domestic harvests. In subsequent years, weather-related disruptions such as late frosts and floods in Germany affected local yields, contributing to market volatility. Despite a drop in physical volume to 25 014 tonnes by 2023, the market value rose to $247.3 million, supported by steady consumer demand for fresh, nutrient-rich asparagus and stable price levels.

Entering 2024, the structural trend of restricted German cultivation areas and high import dependency persisted. Weather anomalies, including early heat and frosts, continued to challenge local harvests, while imports from key suppliers like Spain, Greece, Italy, and Peru remained crucial. Underlying factors such as high European labor costs further incentivized a shift of production to lower-cost regions, reshaping the supply landscape for the Northern European market.

Production asparagus in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Asparagus production in Northern Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 5,872 tonnes of asparagus, marking a modest 4.4% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5,564 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7%.

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

Exports asparagus from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 925 tonnes, with the largest decline of 48.4% occurring that year. In 2020, asparagus shipments from Northern Europe to foreign markets totaled 1,973 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 113.3% compared to the previous year. The difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019 was a factor of 2.1.

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

From 2017 to 2020, asparagus exports from Northern Europe were distributed across numerous markets. The Netherlands accounted for 18.0% of exports in volume, France for 4.0%, and Belgium for 1.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 23.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign asparagus supplies from Northern Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 10.7 million US dollars, up by 29.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 91.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium played a notable but not dominant role as buyers of asparagus from Northern Europe in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 20.6% of export value, France for 1.8%, and Belgium for 1.3%. Their combined share reached only 23.7% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports asparagus to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, asparagus imports into Northern Europe totaled 23,658 tonnes, showing a slight uptick of 2.6% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 23,715 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 13.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.7%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 13.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru, Mexico, and Spain were the largest contributors to asparagus imports into Northern Europe in volume terms. Peru accounted for 43.2% of imports, Mexico for 14.5%, and Spain for 14.1%. Together, these three countries made up 71.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe imported approximately 130.5 million US dollars worth of asparagus in 2020, up by 2.7% compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 130.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.1%, with an annualized rate of 2.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Peru, Mexico, and Spain accounted for the largest share of asparagus imports into Northern Europe in value terms. Peru represented 51.6% of import value, Mexico 12.8%, and Spain 10.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 75.0% of total import flows.

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

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