Cabbages market in Western Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the cabbage market in Western Europe showed notable growth, with production increasing from 1 178 thousand tons to a peak of 1 417 thousand tons in 2020. Market volume expanded sharply to 1 469 thousand tons in 2019, then stabilized before a moderate decline to 1 400 thousand tons in 2021.

Beginning in 2022, production fell to 1 264 thousand tons as drought conditions during the growing season hampered harvests, though late-year rains improved volumes. A long-term reduction in cultivated area for cabbage, linked to declining domestic consumption particularly among younger consumers, contributed to the contraction. Strong export demand for cauliflower, a key segment, provided some market support. In 2023, a historic 23% drop in French cauliflower production drove record prices early in the year, while overall cabbage output saw a slight recovery to 1 293 thousand tons. By 2024, prices retreated as supply improved, with French cauliflower production estimated 18% below the previous season.

Production cabbages in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Western Europe's cabbage production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,417 thousand tonnes of cabbages, marking a 4.6% rise compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 5.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,178 thousand tonnes, representing the largest decline of 21.1% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 15.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of cabbages in Western Europe was 2,403 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 1.1% from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1,927 million US dollars, which also marked the largest decline of 19.6%. On the other hand, 2019 recorded the highest value at 2,430 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 26.1%.

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

Exports cabbages from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, cabbage export volumes from Western Europe have rebounded. In 2020, the region exported 314.4 thousand tonnes of cabbages, a significant increase of 49.3% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 210.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 29.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of cabbage exports in kind was quite diversified. The United Kingdom accounted for 9.7% of exports, Sweden for 8.2%, and Italy for 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 23.1% of total export flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cabbage exports from Western Europe was 268.0 million US dollars, indicating a substantial decrease of 16.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 262.4 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 321.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 22.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe traded cabbages with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy—collectively accounted for only 20.9% of total export value, highlighting the diverse nature of the market.

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

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

Imports cabbages to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe's cabbage imports have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 364.5 thousand tonnes, a 12.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 9.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 287.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for cabbage imports in kind were Spain, with a 32.9% share, Italy at 16.6%, and Portugal at 6.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 55.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's cabbage imports have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region imported cabbages worth 473.2 million US dollars, showing a strong growth of 11.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 16.2%, equating to an average annual increase of 5.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 388.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain was the leading supplier of cabbages to Western Europe in value terms, accounting for 39.2% of imports. Italy followed with 20.3%, and Portugal with 3.9%. Combined, these three countries represented 63.4% of total import value.

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

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