Cabbages market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cabbage market volume in Central Asia contracted from 1 568 thousand tons to 1 471 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by unfavorable weather conditions during the growing seasons, which reduced harvest yields and tightened supply. However, a rebound began in 2020, with consumption rising to 1 511 thousand tons as consumer preferences shifted towards fresh vegetables and new product segments like leaf cabbage gained traction.

The market entered a phase of sustained expansion from 2021 onward, reaching 1 682 thousand tons by 2023. State support for domestic producers encouraged the expansion of cultivation areas, boosting domestic output. This growth continued despite supply challenges in 2023, when anomalous cold in Uzbekistan damaged crops and pushed prices higher; increased imports, rising by 39.1%, helped meet demand. Furthermore, the suspension of import duties on vegetables until September 2024 contributed to market stability.

Production cabbages in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Cabbage production in Central Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 539 K t of cabbages, which represents a 4.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.8%, with an average annual decline rate of 3.7%.

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

Exports cabbages from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied 4.1 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, cabbage shipments from Central Asia to foreign markets reached 81.9 K t, marking a sharp decline of 24.3% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 108.3 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 156.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine—collectively accounted for 51.2% of Central Asia's total cabbage exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values varied 4.4 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, the value of cabbage exports from Central Asia stood at 20 752 K $ US, reflecting a dramatic year-on-year decrease of 51.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 42 610 K $ US, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 123.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, Russia (45.4% of export value), Ukraine (3.8%), and Belarus (3.1%) remained the top buyers of cabbages from Central Asia, together representing 52.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a sixfold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia imported 13.5 K t of cabbages, showing a substantial increase of 424.4% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was 2.6 K t in 2019, while the maximum was 15.5 K t in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 83.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China (3.2% of total import volume) and Russia (0.8%) were the two main sources for cabbage imports into Central Asia, together accounting for 4.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, Central Asia's cabbage imports declined. In 2020, the import value reached 8 783 K $ US, down 46.2% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 4.7%, with an average annual decline rate of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 338 K $ US, and the largest increase also occurred in 2019 at 49.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China and Poland were key players in Central Asia's cabbage imports by value, together representing 9.0% of total flows.

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

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