Asparagus market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Domestic asparagus production in Western Europe, particularly in Germany, entered a period of decline starting in 2018. This was primarily triggered by an oversupply that year which depressed prices, leading growers to continuously reduce cultivation areas in subsequent seasons. The trend was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which caused a critical shortage of foreign seasonal workers needed for the harvest, further curbing output. These combined factors drove production down from 182 thousand tons in 2018 to 161 thousand tons by 2023.

Despite the falling domestic harvest, consumer demand for asparagus remained stable, especially during the peak spring months. To bridge the supply gap, imports from traditional suppliers like Spain, Greece, and Italy became increasingly vital, with Peru emerging as a growing source. This reliance on imports helped sustain overall market volume, which peaked in 2021. However, from 2022 onward, the total physical market size contracted, influenced in part by adverse weather conditions that affected harvests across the region.

The market landscape saw further evolution in 2023 and 2024. Production was repeatedly hampered by extreme weather events, including late frosts, heavy rains, and floods, leading to significant crop losses in key growing areas like Germany and France. Concurrently, innovation and shifting preferences became more prominent, exemplified by the launch of the first Label Rouge certified asparagus in France, targeting quality-conscious consumers. Demand patterns also showed a rising interest in green asparagus and organic products, while initiatives such as the Maisadour Cooperative Group's campaign to recruit new asparagus farmers in France aimed to stimulate local production.

Production asparagus in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Western Europe's asparagus production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 170.1 thousand tons of asparagus, which represents a 4.5% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's asparagus production value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 996 million US dollars, showing a moderate rise of 3.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 3.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 918 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 11.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 4.6%.

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

Exports asparagus from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

Western Europe's asparagus export volume has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 25 573 tons, marking a significant drop of 10.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 10.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 30 816 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for asparagus in volume terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Switzerland accounted for 15.1% of exports, Italy for 4.4%, and Sweden for 3.7%, together representing 23.2% of total flows. The remaining 76.8% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's asparagus export value has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 149.7 million US dollars, indicating a modest decrease of 3.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 7.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for asparagus in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Switzerland represented 17.3% of exports, Norway 4.7%, and Sweden 4.3%, together accounting for 26.3% of total flows. The remaining 73.7% was shared by many other countries.

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

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

Imports asparagus to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

Western Europe imported 59 312 tons of asparagus in 2020, down by 14.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 69 525 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Peru, and Greece were the key partners for asparagus imports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 31.2% of imports, Peru for 18.9%, and Greece for 9.0%, together comprising 59.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's asparagus imports reached 327.5 million US dollars, representing a modest increase of 3.2% relative to the prior year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 317.3 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 3.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 328.6 million US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Peru, and Italy were the main suppliers of asparagus to Western Europe in value terms. Spain accounted for 27.6% of imports, Peru for 23.0%, and Italy for 8.8%, together making up 59.4% of total imports.

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

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