Aubergines market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish aubergine market expanded significantly in 2020, with volume reaching 112 thousand tonnes, driven by a 27% increase in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers experimented with new flavors and used aubergines in ingredient kits.

Market volume then contracted to 99.7 thousand tonnes in 2021, the year Spain consolidated its position as the world's leading aubergine exporter. A rebound to 131.8 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022, partly because a 13.74% drop in export volumes freed up more produce for the domestic market, while record-high export prices incentivized production.

By 2023, the market settled at 99.3 thousand tonnes amid a broader decline in fresh vegetable consumption, though the 'fruit and flower' segment including aubergines showed relative resilience. In 2024, Spanish aubergine exports reached 176.3 thousand tonnes, maintaining the country's global leadership despite a dip in sales to the EU.

Production aubergines in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Spain ranked as the 11th largest producer of aubergines from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

Spain's aubergine production volume grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 282.2 thousand tonnes of aubergines, marking a 15.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 24.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Spain's aubergine production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 327.0 million US dollars, up by 23.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 21.1%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 264.6 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 1.6% occurring that year.

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

Exports aubergines from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's aubergine export volume expanded for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 171.4 thousand tonnes, showing a modest increase of 8.0% over 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Spain's aubergine exports in volume terms were France (30.4% of exports), Germany (19.7% of exports), and Italy (13.6% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 63.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's aubergine exports were valued at 198.6 million US dollars, reflecting a solid gain of 15.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 15%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 171.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 2.1% occurring that year.

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

During 2017-2020, France (29.4% of exports by value), Germany (20.7% of exports by value), and Italy (11.9% of exports by value) were the principal buyers of Spanish aubergines, collectively representing 62.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports aubergines to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.4 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 1.2 thousand tonnes, resulting in a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain's aubergine import volume increased by 4.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline of 49.5% was recorded in 2018, while the largest increase of 181.9% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco (18.2% of imports by volume), France (17.2% of imports by volume), and Italy (16.2% of imports by volume) emerged as the main sources for Spain's aubergine imports, together accounting for 51.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import value hit its lowest point in 2018 at 0.6 million US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 1.5 million US dollars, creating a 2.8-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of aubergines to Spain were valued 29.5% higher than in 2019. The largest decline of 59.5% was recorded in 2018, while the largest increase of 113.7% took place in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets for Spain's aubergine imports by value were France, Morocco, and Germany, which together represented 56.2% of total import flows.

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

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