Cabbages market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cabbages in Spain increased from 141 thsd t in 2018 to a peak of 227 thsd t in 2022, before contracting to 198 thsd t in 2023. The growth in 2022 was supported by a 1.5% rise in real consumption, driven by labor market improvements with nearly one million more workers than pre-pandemic levels, economic recovery, and positive tourism campaigns that encouraged spending.

Export markets experienced shifts earlier in the period, including the devaluation of the British pound which reduced the value of exports to a key destination and the development of alternative outlets such as Germany. By 2023, retail consolidation accelerated, with the top five chains including Mercadona, Carrefour and Lidl capturing over 51% market share, while the expansion of discount chains heightened price competition and increased consumer willingness to switch brands for promotions.

Production cabbages in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the 29th largest producer of cabbages globally.

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Spain's cabbage production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 286.6 thousand tonnes of cabbages, marking a 0.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 31.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.7%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 213.3 thousand tonnes, when output fell by 1.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 33.2% jump.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's cabbage production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 343.2 million US dollars, up 11.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 40%, averaging an 11.9% annualized rate.

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

Exports cabbages from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's cabbage exports rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 99 297 tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 87 508 tonnes, when exports declined by 1.2%. The highest growth was in 2019, with a 12.9% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the primary destinations for Spain's cabbage exports by volume. Germany accounted for 30.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 25.4%, and the Netherlands for 16.0%. Together, these three countries made up 72.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's cabbage export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 118.9 million US dollars, reflecting a strong 11.4% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the largest buyers of Spanish cabbages by value. Germany represented 30.7% of export value, the United Kingdom 24.6%, and the Netherlands 15.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 70.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Spain

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Spain's cabbage import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 14 829 tonnes, a sharp drop of 14.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 46.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 13.7%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 17 365 tonnes, following the largest increase of 53.8% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Belgium were the main suppliers of cabbages to Spain by volume. The Netherlands contributed 40.9% of imports, Portugal 30.9%, and Belgium 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 83.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, Spain's cabbage import value fell. In 2020, imports were valued at 8.9 million US dollars, down 20.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The highest import value was in 2019 at 11.2 million US dollars, when it surged by 33.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Portugal, and France were the leading sources of cabbage imports to Spain by value. The Netherlands accounted for 37.5% of import value, Portugal for 28.1%, and France for 10.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 75.7% of total import flows.

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

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