Aubergines market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The Western European aubergine market experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2020. Initially, rising consumer interest in vegetarian and healthy eating supported demand growth, contributing to a market volume increase to 197 thousand tonnes in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 structurally boosted at-home cooking and experimentation with new recipes, further elevating aubergine demand. However, widespread supply chain disruptions concurrently constrained physical availability, leading to a contraction in market volume to 175 thousand tonnes despite substantially higher market value due to price increases.

Post-pandemic, the market rebounded in 2021 to 182.5 thousand tonnes, fueled by strengthened demand for organic varieties and novel types such as white or striped aubergines. Subsequent years were shaped by external supply factors: adverse weather conditions and logistical challenges limited availability in 2022, reducing volume to 151.4 thousand tonnes. In 2023, despite continued supply tightness and rising prices, market volume recovered to 163.8 thousand tonnes as imports rose to meet persistent consumer preference for fresh, regional, and plant-based options.

In 2024, the French producer Kultive announced plans to boost purple aubergine output above 2 thousand tonnes while diversifying into niche white and graffiti varieties. Meanwhile, a significant drop in Spanish aubergine sales early in the year affected EU supply, highlighting the market's ongoing exposure to regional production swings and climate-related volatility.

Production aubergines in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

Western Europe's aubergine production volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 134.9 thousand tonnes of aubergines, marking a 30.5% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 46.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's aubergine production value has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 462.4 million US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 43.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 42.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 319.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 1.6% occurring that same year.

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

Exports aubergines from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 46.8 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 44.4% recorded that year. By 2020, foreign aubergine supplies from Western Europe totalled 87.4 thousand tonnes, which is 87.0% higher than in 2019, resulting in a 1.9-fold difference between the peak and trough over this period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (accounting for 19.3% of exports in kind), Sweden (4.6%), and Switzerland (3.3%) were significant buyers of aubergines from Western Europe. However, their combined share reached only 27.2% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 72.8% distributed among numerous other partners.

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

After a two-year decline, Western Europe's aubergine export value has increased. In 2019, the lowest value was recorded at 113.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 9.7% occurring in 2018. By 2020, export value rose to 125.8 million US dollars, which is 10.5% higher year-on-year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The United Kingdom (19.4% of exports in value terms), the United States (5.4%), and Sweden (4.1%) together accounted for just 28.9% of total flows.

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 aubergines to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, foreign aubergine supplies to Western Europe declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 140.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 7.0% recorded that year. By 2020, Western Europe imported 127.6 thousand tonnes of aubergines, marking a modest decline of 9.2% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (63.0% of imports in kind), Turkey (3.2%), and Italy (2.7%) together absorbed 68.8% of total aubergine imports in kind to Western Europe, making them the main sources.

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

After a two-year fall, the value of aubergine imports to Western Europe has increased. In 2019, the minimum value was recorded at 187.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 5.2% occurring in 2018. By 2020, Western Europe imported aubergines valued at [value_last_year] million US dollars, indicating a 22.6% year-on-year increase. Over the period 2017-2020, imports grew by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain (59.6% of imports in value terms), Italy (3.4%), and Turkey (2.7%) remained the principal suppliers of aubergines to Western Europe, jointly accounting for 65.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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