Aubergines market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Spain solidified its role as the world's leading exporter of fresh aubergines, supported by local agricultural companies and cooperatives in regions like Almería and Murcia, which boosted production. The market volume stabilized around 506 thousand tons in 2019 as new players, including cooperatives and distributors, entered the online and direct-to-consumer segments. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and shifted demand toward supermarkets and e-commerce, pushing market volume up to 547 thousand tons.

Following the pandemic surge, market volume adjusted slightly in 2021 but then expanded to 555 thousand tons in 2022 and 571 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was fueled by rising demand for high-quality fresh aubergines, which spurred investments in cold chain logistics and product presentation. The introduction of distinctive varieties like striped aubergines and the adoption of online sales strategies further diversified the market and supported consumption.

Production aubergines in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, aubergine production reached 693.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking an 8.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.0%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 8.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, aubergine production in Southern Europe rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 848.8 million US dollars, representing a significant 16.9% rise compared to 2019. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 725.9 million US dollars, and the largest annual decrease occurred in 2018 with a 9.8% drop.

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

Exports aubergines from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Aubergine exports from Southern Europe continued their upward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 171.8 thousand tonnes, showing a steady increase of 7.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 29.7%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for aubergine exports from Southern Europe in volume terms were France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Together, they accounted for 57.9% 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 2020, Southern Europe's aubergine exports were valued at 210.2 million US dollars, reflecting a robust 16.1% increase over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 13.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 181.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 2.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the primary markets for aubergine exports in value terms. France accounted for 28.5% of exports, Germany for 20.6%, and the United Kingdom for 10.7%. Combined, these three countries represented 59.8% 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 aubergines to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe imported 25.3 thousand tonnes of aubergines in 2020, up by 4.0% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports increased by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 24.3 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 25.9 thousand tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.0% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant source for aubergine imports into Southern Europe in volume terms. Germany accounted for 5.7% of imports, France for 4.6%, and the Netherlands for 2.6%. Together, these three countries made up only 12.9% of total imports, with the remainder distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

After two years of contraction, aubergine imports into Southern Europe saw a resurgence in value. In 2020, imports amounted to 35.9 million US dollars, indicating a strong 12.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 10.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 31.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 1.3%.

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

The market base for aubergine imports into Southern Europe in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. Germany accounted for 8.2% of imports, France for 4.0%, and the Netherlands for 3.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 15.3% of total import flows, with the remaining 84.7% shared among many other nations.

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

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