Cabbages market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the cabbage market volume in Eastern Europe initially grew slightly to 6.65 million tons in 2019 before declining to 6.38 million tons in 2020. The 2018 harvest was relatively low due to unfavorable weather and a slight reduction in planted area, which limited domestic supply. In 2020, despite favorable spring weather that boosted yields, ongoing sanctions and a continued decrease in household‑farm planting areas weighed on production, leading to a 4.1% drop in market volume.

The downward trend continued in 2021, with market volume falling 8.2% to 5.86 million tons. Low harvest volumes from the previous year created a domestic shortage, pushing prices upward. In 2022, unseasonably cold spring weather hurt cabbage yields, but the government’s temporary zero import duty on vegetables until September 2022 spurred a 45.9% jump in shipments from China, Uzbekistan and Turkey. This import surge partly offset the drop in domestic output, limiting the market‑volume decline to 2.6% for the year.

In 2023, domestic production recovered, helping to lift market volume by 3.0% to 5.87 million tons. At the same time, stronger consumer demand drove cabbage prices approximately 44% higher compared with 2022, which translated into a 15.7% increase in market value to $5.18 billion. Shifting consumer preferences toward convenience products, such as ready‑to‑cook items, also began to influence the market structure.

Production cabbages in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), cabbage production reached 6 209 K t in 2020, marking a 3.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 12.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, at 10.5%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cabbage output in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was 4 553 M $ US in 2020, down 10.8% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 35.5%, averaging an annual decline of 13.6%. The largest decrease was in 2018 at 33.4%, whereas 2019 experienced an 8.6% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cabbages from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, cabbage exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020, reaching 58.9 K t, which represents an 18.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 19.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 71.8 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 43.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, cabbage exports in kind from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were distributed across many destinations, with no single market dominating. Germany accounted for 4.3% of exports, Lithuania for 4.1%, and Italy for 1.6%, together making up just 10.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, cabbage exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell in 2020, with a value of 43.2 M $ US, a 24.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 12%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 57.0 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, cabbage exports in value terms from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across a wide range of markets. Germany contributed 5.7% of export value, Lithuania 5.6%, and the Netherlands 3.7%, together accounting for only 15.0% of total exports. The remaining 85.0% came from numerous smaller destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports cabbages to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported 230.2 K t of cabbages, a 20.4% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 11.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The maximum volume was in 2019 at 289.1 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 19.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, cabbage imports in kind to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not concentrated, with China accounting for 16.5% of imports, North Macedonia for 13.5%, and Uzbekistan for 7.4%. Together, these three countries made up just 37.4% of total flows, indicating no single partner was clearly dominant.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Cabbage imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 124.1 M $ US in 2020, a sharp 25.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.3%, averaging an annual decline of 4.6%. The peak value was in 2019 at 167.1 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 26.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, cabbage imports in value terms to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across many markets. China accounted for 14.5% of import value, North Macedonia for 11.6%, and Germany for 10.2%, together representing only 36.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020