Carrots and turnips market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh carrots and turnips in Europe fluctuated between 7.8 million tons and 8.6 million tons from 2018 to 2023. After peaking at 8.6 million tons in 2019, it dipped to 8.2 million tons in 2020 before recovering to 8.6 million tons in 2021. A more pronounced contraction followed in 2022, bringing the market to 7.8 million tons, with a modest rebound to 8.0 million tons in 2023.

Consumer demand for carrots remained robust throughout the period, with per capita consumption reported at approximately 11.5 kg in the 2020/21 season, making carrots the second most popular vegetable after tomatoes. Although per capita consumption eased to around 10.6 kg in 2022/23, preliminary data for 2024/25 indicated a return to about 11 kg. By the 2024/25 season, the self-sufficiency rate for carrots and turnips had reached 79%, marking a 3 percentage point increase for vegetables overall and signaling a strengthened domestic production base.

The market value followed a different trajectory, declining from $6.0 billion in 2018 to $5.1 billion in 2020 before a sustained recovery. It surged to $7.3 billion in 2023. This substantial increase in value was partly driven by higher carrot prices, which rose due to increased energy and storage costs. These cost pressures led producers to reduce storage and sell more produce directly from the field. The broader fresh vegetable market in Germany, estimated at €23.3 billion in 2024 with expected growth, provided a supportive context.

Production carrots and turnips in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

In 2019, carrot and turnip production in Europe saw the largest increase of 7.0%, but this was followed by a decline. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 8 047 thousand tonnes, which marked the largest decline of 9.2% that year. By 2020, output stood at 8 445 thousand tonnes, representing a 1.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Europe's carrot and turnip production has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the value of this output was 5 102 million US dollars, down 6.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 17.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Europe's carrot and turnip export volume has increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 001.7 thousand tonnes, up 2.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 48.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key buyers of carrots and turnips from Europe were Senegal and Mauritania. Together, they accounted for 1.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Carrot and turnip deliveries from Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 605.1 million US dollars, a 2.4% reduction compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 655.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 39.4%. In 2019, exports experienced the largest decline of 5.4%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 28.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Europe's carrot and turnip exports in value terms were Senegal, Norway, and Switzerland. Together, they accounted for 2.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, carrot and turnip imports into Europe reached their peak at 938.6 thousand tonnes, marking the largest increase of 28.4% that year. However, imports fell to their lowest point in 2018 at 730.9 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 20.1%. By 2020, imports stood at 782.7 thousand tonnes, a 16.6% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel, China, and Turkey were the leading sources for carrot and turnip imports into Europe in volume terms. Israel accounted for 7.5% of imports, China for 3.5%, and Turkey for 1.5%, with their combined share totaling 12.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe's carrot and turnip import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 642.7 million US dollars, down 7.4% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 765.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 35.8%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 9.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.0%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, carrot and turnip imports into Europe in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. Israel accounted for 8.0% of imports, China for 3.3%, and Turkey for 0.9%, with their combined share making up 12.2% of total import flows.

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

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