Cabbages market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish cabbage market volume fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 55 thousand tons in 2020 before declining to 38 thousand tons in 2022. The surge in 2020 was driven by global food price shocks and export restrictions, which disrupted supply chains and bolstered domestic production, coupled with heightened consumer focus on health and sustainability during the period. Subsequent drops in volume to 44 thousand tons in 2021 and 37 thousand tons in 2022 were primarily due to climatic challenges like vernalization and pest attacks that reduced yields, followed by the implementation of new spray journal and crop growth stage regulations that affected farming practices.

Throughout the period, the market was shaped by the continuous introduction of new cabbage varieties, particularly Asian types with milder taste and smaller heads, which catered to evolving consumer demand for fresh and health-oriented foods. This shift toward diversification and organic production, supported by consumer data and market analysis, helped the market recover to 41 thousand tons in 2023. Consumer trends favoring plant-based and sustainable diets remained a steady underlying driver, influencing both retail demand and the product mix.

In 2024, the broader food industry restructuring around sustainability and innovation emphasized clean-label and functional snack products, incorporating cabbage-based items. By 2025, additional regulations on spray records and growth stage reporting came into force, while rising fertilizer and energy costs impacted production expenses. Simultaneously, the restaurant sector adapted to increased demand for plant-based offerings, further integrating cabbage into menu development, against a backdrop of global factors like energy prices influencing domestic food costs.

Production cabbages in Denmark

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2018-2021

World map of production of cabbages, 2018-2021

In 2021, Denmark produced 31 070 tonnes of cabbages, marking a sharp 29.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 19.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 43 770 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cabbages from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 750 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 2 000 tonnes, representing a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Denmark exported 871 tonnes of cabbages, reflecting a 16.0% increase from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 62.5% drop, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 83.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Sweden (32.8% of exports by volume), Iceland (16.7%), and Greenland (15.7%) led Denmark's cabbage export structure, together accounting for 65.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Denmark's cabbage exports reached 1 644 thousand US dollars, representing a 35.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 30.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 209 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 028 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 40.4% decrease, and the most significant increase was in 2019 at 60.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden (34.9% of export value), Greenland (16.1%), and the Faroe Islands (16.0%) continued to be the top buyers of Danish cabbages by value, jointly accounting for 67.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports cabbages to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Denmark's cabbage imports increased in 2021. The country imported approximately 14 011 tonnes that year, marking a significant 12.8% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 4.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 12 418 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, the Netherlands (49.2% of import volume), Spain (23.4%), and Germany (13.6%) remained the leading sources in Denmark's cabbage import structure, together representing 86.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Denmark's cabbage imports from abroad increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Import value reached 26 094 thousand US dollars that year, amounting to a strong 17.5% year-over-year increase. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 39.6%, equating to an 11.7% annualized growth rate.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (46.0% of import value), Sweden (21.4%), and Spain (20.4%) led Denmark's cabbage import structure by value, together accounting for 87.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021