Cabbages market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The cabbage market in India demonstrated steady growth in volume from 2018 to 2023, increasing from 9.0 million tons to over 10.0 million tons. This expansion was primarily fueled by a consistent rise in domestic production, which grew each year across the period. Imports and exports remained marginal, indicating the market is largely self-sufficient. In 2019, the market operated with traditional distribution channels, where harvesting and marketing costs were defined factors, reflecting the established structure of the vegetable supply chain.

By 2024, broader consumer and industry trends began shaping the market environment. A rising demand for sustainable and healthy plant-based foods, driven by health and environmental considerations, increased the culinary interest in cabbage as an affordable and versatile vegetable. Simultaneously, the industry faced influences from global supply chain challenges and climate change, factors that affect agricultural production and availability.

Production cabbages in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, India ranked as the world's second-largest producer of cabbages from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

India's cabbage production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 9 272 thousand tonnes of cabbages, marking a slight increase of 1.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, India's cabbage output was valued at 3 023 million US dollars, reflecting a decrease of 6.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 2 591 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 27.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 25.0%.

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

Exports cabbages from India

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, India's cabbage exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 4 691 tonnes, representing a 6.7% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 5 029 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Maldives and Nepal were the primary buyers of Indian cabbages, together accounting for 92.4% of total exports in volume, while other partners played a minor role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, India's cabbage export value reached 1 529 thousand US dollars, showing a significant contraction of 14.3% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 303 thousand US dollars, and the highest was in 2019 at 1 784 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 24.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 36.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Maldives remained the leading destination for India's cabbage exports in value terms, capturing 78.4% of total flows, with the rest distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cabbages to India

Imports in kind, t

India's cabbage imports experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 1 526 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 7 494 tonnes, representing a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 5 941 tonnes, equivalent to a solid decline of 20.7% year-on-year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 27.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 391.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 100.0% of India's cabbage imports in volume were directed to Nepal, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

India's cabbage import market showed volatility over the observed period. The lowest value was in 2018 at 125 thousand US dollars, and the highest was in 2019 at 657 thousand US dollars, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import volume amounted to 652 thousand US dollars, showing a slight loss of 0.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 27.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 424.7%.

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

In 2017-2020, cabbages imported to India were shipped primarily to Nepal, which absorbed 100.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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