Asparagus market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the fresh asparagus market in Southern Europe saw a gradual contraction in physical volume, declining from 110 thousand tons to 93.8 thousand tons, while its value demonstrated volatility with a notable peak of 544 million USD in 2023. The initial market volume in 2018 was supported by an expansion of cultivated areas in Italy, which increased domestic supply and availability. Concurrently, the launch of new processed product lines, such as asparagus in oil and agrodolce, with innovative packaging began to diversify the offer, catering to evolving consumer tastes for convenience.

The market's downward volume trend from 2020 onwards coincided with and was influenced by a series of global supply constraints. Adverse climatic conditions in key exporting nations like Peru and Mexico from 2022 reduced worldwide production, tightening availability and contributing to higher international prices. This external pressure on supply chains was compounded by rising costs for refrigerated transport and logistics, which affected import dynamics and supported higher market values in Southern Europe despite lower volumes. Technological innovations in packaging and preservation, alongside a growing consumer preference for fresh, organic, and sustainably packaged products, helped sustain demand in premium segments, explaining the market's resilience in value terms.

By 2023, the market volume stabilized near 94 thousand tons, while its monetary value surged, driven by the persistent effects of constrained global supply and sustained consumer interest in quality and origin. The ongoing logistical challenges and increased wholesale prices in Europe, as noted in 2024, continued to shape the market's value trajectory, highlighting a period where cost factors and product differentiation outweighed simple volume growth.

Production asparagus in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

In 2019, Southern Europe's asparagus production reached its lowest point at 118.5 thousand tonnes, marking a 7.5% decline from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 123.5 thousand tonnes, representing a 4.2% year-over-year increase. The peak production level was recorded in 2018 at 128.1 thousand tonnes.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of asparagus production in Southern Europe hit its minimum at 456.3 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.2% decrease. The following year, in 2020, production value rose to 495.0 million US dollars, up 8.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Exports asparagus from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, asparagus export volumes from Southern Europe experienced their largest decline of 12.9%. However, in 2020, exports recovered to 37 614 tonnes, showing a solid 16.1% year-over-year improvement. Between 2017 and 2020, overall exports increased by 16.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Switzerland were the three principal markets for Southern Europe's asparagus exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 68.1% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of asparagus exports from Southern Europe saw its largest decline of 9.8%. In 2020, export value rebounded to 150.8 million US dollars, up 20.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany was the leading destination for Southern Europe's asparagus exports in value terms, accounting for 42.6% of total exports. France followed with 19.4%, and Switzerland with 7.1%. Together, these three markets represented 69.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports asparagus to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's asparagus imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 15 095 tonnes, which was 20.0% lower than the previous year. The peak import volume occurred in 2018 at 19 013 tonnes, marking the largest increase of 15.8% that year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru was the dominant source for Southern Europe's asparagus imports in volume terms, accounting for 53.3% of total imports. Mexico contributed 12.2%, and the Netherlands 4.9%. Together, these three partners represented 70.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's asparagus import value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 78.2 million US dollars, a moderate 7.0% decrease from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 86.5 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 15.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 4.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Peru was the principal source for Southern Europe's asparagus imports in value terms, representing 57.3% of total imports. Mexico accounted for 11.5%, and the Netherlands for 5.6%. Collectively, these three destinations made up 74.4% of total import flows.

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

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