Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled capsicum and pimenta fruits in Eastern Europe saw a significant expansion in 2021, with physical volume reaching over 1.2 million tons and value surpassing 2.1 billion US dollars. This peak followed gradual growth in the preceding years and was accompanied by a sharp rise in domestic production. Volumes then moderated in 2022 and 2023, though the market's value continued to increase, indicating a shift toward higher-value segments.

In 2023, industry projections anticipated a doubling of niche greenhouse vegetable output, including peppers, by 2023-2024. This outlook encouraged existing growers to diversify part of their capacity from tomatoes and cucumbers to capsicum production. Simultaneously, new premium-segment growers entered the market, supporting the rise in overall market value even as total physical volume eased slightly.

For 2024, a new labeling regulation requiring country-of-origin disclosure on price tags for fruits and vegetables took effect in September. This rule increased compliance costs for both importers and domestic producers. Concurrently, the planned expansion of dedicated greenhouse capacity for capsicum continued, reinforcing the trend toward greater domestic production and market diversification.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw a decline in capsicum and pimenta fruits production. In 2020, the region produced 648.5 thousand tons, marking a controlled reduction of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 669.7 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of capsicum and pimenta fruits in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) stood at 1 031 million US dollars, reflecting a 5.2% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 27.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 55.5 thousand tons, showing a slight decrease of 2.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 48.4 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 56.6 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 10.0%, and the most significant increase was in 2019 at 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 21.7% of exports, Austria for 5.1%, and the Netherlands for 2.2%. Together, these three countries represented just 28.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 88.2 million US dollars, up 6.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 24.6%, equating to an average annual rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms remained highly diversified. Germany accounted for 28.6% of export value, Austria for 4.8%, and the United Kingdom for 2.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented only 35.6% of total flows, with the remaining 64.4% coming from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, capsicum and pimenta fruits deliveries to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, the region imported 387.3 thousand tons, down 4.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 406.9 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 14.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Spain accounted for 21.3% of imports, Israel for 14.5%, and Turkey for 14.2%. Together, these three countries represented 50.0% of total import flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 50.0%.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, capsicum and pimenta fruits imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 591.3 million US dollars, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.4%, equating to an average annual rate of 5.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 592.3 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, Spain, Israel, and Turkey were the primary suppliers of capsicum and pimenta fruits to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. Spain accounted for 25.5% of import value, Israel for 16.7%, and Turkey for 11.6%. Together, these three countries represented 53.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020