Cabbages market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The cabbage market in Northern Europe remained stable between 2018 and 2020, with volume hovering around 560,000 tonnes and peaking at 569,000 tonnes in 2020. At the start of this period, the implementation of new seed and plant import rules—limiting each shipment to a maximum of 50 seed packets and requiring separate labelling for organic certified seeds—introduced changes to the supply side of the market.

Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 525,000 tonnes by 2022. While no specific annual drivers were highlighted for 2021, the broader need for innovation and new thinking in the market due to the pandemic's impact was noted as a defining characteristic in 2022, reflecting the industry's adaptation to post-pandemic conditions and shifts in the operating environment.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 527,000 tonnes. During this time, several consumer and industry trends gained prominence, including a rising interest in fermented cabbage products like kimchi, greater demand for diverse and milder cabbage varieties, and the entry of new specialized seed retailers, all of which contributed to a more dynamic and segmented market landscape.

Production cabbages in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, cabbage production in Northern Europe rebounded in 2020. The region produced 434.0 thousand tons of cabbages that year, marking a 5.2% increase from 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 23.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 412.7 thousand tons, while the steepest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 23.8% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cabbage production in Northern Europe stood at 319.7 million US dollars, representing a 7.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, the production value declined by 9.6%, averaging an annual reduction of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 300.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 15.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase with a 15.4% rise.

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

Exports cabbages from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's cabbage export volume declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 14.2 thousand tons. This represented a substantial drop of 16.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 18.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 20.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of cabbages from Northern Europe were Malaysia, accounting for 14.7% of exports in volume, the Netherlands with 11.3%, and Belarus at 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented 31.3% of total exports, indicating a relatively diversified export structure with no single dominant market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Northern Europe's cabbage exports in value terms declined in 2020, totaling 10.5 million US dollars. This was a 26.4% decrease from the previous year. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports actually increased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 14.2 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 33.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Northern Europe's cabbage exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 9.0% of export value, Malaysia for 4.0%, and Norway for 3.0%. Combined, these three countries represented just 15.9% of total exports, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Northern Europe's cabbage import volume declined in 2020, registering 149.5 thousand tons. This was a 9.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.9%, averaging an annual growth of 1.0%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 164.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 12.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary suppliers of cabbages to Northern Europe were the Netherlands, accounting for 29.4% of imports in volume, Spain with 21.5%, and Germany at 16.9%. Together, these three countries represented 67.7% of total imports, forming the core of Northern Europe's cabbage supply.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Northern Europe's cabbage imports in value terms declined in 2020, amounting to 159.1 million US dollars. This represented a 7.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 18.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 171.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany were the main sources of cabbage imports to Northern Europe in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 31.9% of import value, Spain for 29.9%, and Germany for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented 70.3% of total imports, solidifying their position as Northern Europe's primary cabbage suppliers.

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

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