Aubergines market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Dutch aubergine market volume increased from 15 118 tonnes to 21 226 tonnes. This growth was underpinned by the greenhouse sector's investment in sustainable and optimized production processes for year-round supply. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated demand as consumers shifted towards more home consumption of fresh chilled vegetables.

Market volume contracted to 16 575 tonnes in 2021 before rebounding strongly to 22 287 tonnes in 2022. The recovery in 2022 was facilitated by aubergines' energy-efficient winter cultivation, which helped sustain output despite high energy prices that pressured the broader greenhouse vegetable sector.

In 2023, the market stabilized at 22 218 tonnes. Year-round cultivation trials aimed at higher light intensity and yield per energy unit progressed, while industry consolidation saw fewer but larger farms. At the same time, aubergine prices doubled in some cases due to supply-demand imbalances and weather influences.

Production aubergines in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

The Netherlands has seen its aubergine production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 65 000 tonnes of aubergines, marking a moderate year-on-year increase of 4.8%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 22.6%, which translates to a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Aubergine production in the Netherlands has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 103.8 million US dollars, up by 11.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 13%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 89.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2%.

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

Exports aubergines from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of aubergines from the Netherlands have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 63 272 tonnes, representing a 3.9% rise over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 56 306 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.5%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 8.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the primary buyers of aubergines from the Netherlands, accounting for 35.7%, 21.1%, and 8.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 65.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, aubergine deliveries from the Netherlands have rebounded. In 2020, the Netherlands exported 101.0 million US dollars worth of aubergines, showing a strong improvement of 10.7% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 91.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 9.1% occurring in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the main destinations for aubergine exports from the Netherlands in value terms, accounting for 35.7%, 21.0%, and 6.8% of exports, respectively. Combined, these three markets represented 63.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports aubergines to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of aubergines to the Netherlands have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the Netherlands imported 19 498 tonnes of aubergines, amounting to a moderate increase of 8.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 28.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain was the main supplier of aubergines to the Netherlands, accounting for 72.5% of total imports in kind, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year contraction, aubergine imports to the Netherlands have increased. In 2020, imports stood at 24.4 million US dollars, showing a rise of 10.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 22.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 1.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the main source for imports in value terms, accounting for 72.5% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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