Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Greek capsicum and pimenta market grew steadily, with production volume increasing from 145.8 thousand tonnes to 164.3 thousand tonnes. This expansion was driven by rising consumer preference for healthy plant-based foods and increasing demand for colorful and spicy pepper varieties, which bolstered domestic consumption.

The trend reversed in 2021 when adverse weather conditions and reduced sunlight hours directly hampered harvests, cutting production to 138.3 thousand tonnes. The following year, the market faced compounded pressures from soaring energy and fertilizer costs linked to the war in Ukraine, alongside a documented drop in consumer purchasing power that reduced fresh produce consumption by approximately 10%, leading to a further contraction in market volume.

By 2023, domestic production fell sharply to 108.4 thousand tonnes, and the market size in volume terms declined to 96.9 thousand tonnes. While consumer interest in premium colorful and spicy peppers persisted, the market became increasingly reliant on imports to meet demand, reflecting the lasting impact of high production costs and reduced affordability.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece held the 25th position globally in the production of capsicum and pimenta fruits.

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

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

Greece's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 164.3 thousand tons, showing a modest increase of 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 29.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Greece's production value of capsicum and pimenta fruits increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 279.1 million US dollars, representing a robust improvement of 20.5% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 37.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.1%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Greece

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, capsicum and pimenta fruit exports from Greece rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 18,562 tons, marking a modest advance of 7.0% year-over-year. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.6%, with an annualized decline rate of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 17,355 tons, which also saw the largest drop of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Bulgaria, and Czechia were the main buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Greece, accounting for 20.3%, 19.4%, and 12.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 52.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, capsicum and pimenta fruit exports from Greece increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 31,537 thousand US dollars, showing a strong rise of 21.6% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 25,939 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Austria, and Czechia were the largest buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Greece in value terms, with shares of 29.8%, 21.5%, and 11.8% of exports, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 63.0% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Greece imported 7,273 tons of capsicum and pimenta fruits in 2020, equivalent to a sharp improvement of 63.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 56.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 16.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 4,437 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—the Netherlands, North Macedonia, and Israel—together absorbed 62.3% of total capsicum and pimenta fruit imports in kind to Greece.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of capsicum and pimenta fruits to Greece grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 10,605 thousand US dollars, which is 14.7% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 72.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Israel, and Spain remained the key sources for capsicum and pimenta fruit imports to Greece in value terms, with shares of 42.2%, 24.1%, and 6.9%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 73.2% of total import flows.

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

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