Cabbages market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German cabbage market volume grew steadily from 716.6 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 855.6 thousand tons in 2021, supported by rising domestic production which reached 733.3 thousand tons that year. Imports also increased gradually until 2021, while exports fluctuated without disrupting the overall expansion.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with market volume falling 14.6% to 730.5 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by rising consumer prices and energy costs, which reduced household purchasing power and dampened demand for cabbage. Concurrently, shifting consumer preferences toward ethically produced and alternative food products further influenced consumption patterns away from traditional vegetables.

The market stabilized in 2023 at 736.7 thousand tons, with a slight 0.8% increase. Production recovered modestly to 660.6 thousand tons, while imports continued to decline and exports remained volatile, reflecting an adjustment to the new economic and consumer environment.

Production cabbages in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany ranked 16th globally in cabbage production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Germany's cabbage production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 725.3 K t of cabbages, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 604.3 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 23.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 19.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's cabbage output was valued at 388.6 M $ US, down by 20.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 8.9%, with a CAGR of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 324.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 24.0%. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 488.9 M $ US, marking the largest increase of 50.8%.

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

Exports cabbages from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, cabbage exports from Germany declined. In 2020, exports totaled 66.8 K t, a decrease of 13.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 77.2 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden (31.7% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (11.6%), and Czechia (9.0%) were the leading destinations for Germany's cabbage exports, collectively accounting for 52.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of improvement, cabbage exports from Germany declined. In 2020, Germany exported 35.8 M $ US worth of cabbages, down by 31.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 5.2%, with a CAGR of 1.7%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 52.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 48.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's cabbage exports in value terms were widely distributed across partner countries. Sweden (21.3% of exports in value terms), France (13.6%), and Austria (12.1%) together represented 47.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's cabbage import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 193.8 K t, showing a modest rise of 7.1% from the prior year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 177.9 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (37.2% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (24.3%), and Italy (23.7%) formed the main cluster of markets for Germany's cabbage imports, with a combined share of 85.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's cabbage import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 243.9 M $ US, up by 15.6% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 16.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 193.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 7.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain (40.1% of imports in value terms), Italy (27.1%), and the Netherlands (22.6%) were the largest suppliers of cabbages to Germany, together forming 89.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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