Cauliflowers and broccoli market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for fresh cauliflowers and broccoli in Eastern Europe contracted from 513 thousand tons to 376 thousand tons, while its value showed more resilience, peaking at 590 million USD in 2019 before recovering to 560 million USD in 2023. This was driven by a structural shift in consumer preference towards broccoli due to its nutritional value and ease of preparation, which led Polish farmers to reduce cauliflower area in favor of broccoli. Simultaneously, adverse weather conditions and rising production costs repeatedly constrained cauliflower yields, tightening supply and supporting prices.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021 disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns, contributing to a sharp 146% surge in Russian imports of fresh product and strengthening demand in Ukraine for these vegetables as part of a healthier diet. Import growth continued to offset declining regional production, with Ukraine particularly relying on foreign supplies as local demand for non-traditional cabbages outstripped domestic output. By 2022, climate anomalies such as heatwaves and heavy rains further reduced Polish cauliflower harvests, creating shortages and pushing up prices across the region by 20-25% in some markets.

By 2023, production had stabilized near 274 thousand tons, while imports rose to 123 thousand tons, helping the market's value rebound to 559 million USD after a dip in 2022. The Polish market also saw increased export orientation, with shipments to Central Europe and Ukraine growing, sometimes at the expense of domestic availability due to higher quality demands from foreign buyers. New Polish labeling rules set for 2024, requiring origin information on price tags, added an additional regulatory dimension for retailers.

Production cauliflowers and broccoli in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

World map of production of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

Production of cauliflowers and broccoli in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 366.5 thousand tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 8.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.7%.

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 value of cauliflowers and broccoli production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was 1 134 million US dollars, down 11.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 11.9%, with an average annual rate of decline of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 288 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.4%.

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

Exports cauliflowers and broccoli from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported 23.5 thousand tonnes of cauliflowers and broccoli, representing a sharp increase of 29.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 72.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 49.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of cauliflowers and broccoli from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not concentrated in a few key markets. Austria accounted for 4.6% of exports, Germany for 4.2%, and Lithuania for 4.1%, with these three countries together making up only 12.9% of total export volumes.

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

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported cauliflowers and broccoli worth 29.3 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp advance of 33.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 36.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 11.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.3%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide. Austria contributed 6.9% of export value, Germany 5.0%, and Lithuania 4.5%, with these three countries jointly accounting for just 16.4% of total flows. The remaining 83.6% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 cauliflowers and broccoli to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, the volume of cauliflowers and broccoli imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 103.2 thousand tonnes, which is 6.8% lower year-on-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 110.6 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of cauliflowers and broccoli into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were scattered across countries. Spain accounted for 19.4% of import volumes, France for 13.1%, and Italy for 12.6%, with these three together making up 45.1% of total flows, and no single partner emerged as clearly dominant.

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

After two years of increase, the value of cauliflowers and broccoli imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, imports totalled 122.9 million US dollars, reflecting a reduction of 3.9% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 8.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 127.9 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of cauliflowers and broccoli into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms were characterised by a broad spread across markets. Spain accounted for 23.2% of import value, Germany for 12.5%, and Italy for 12.4%, with these three countries together making up only 48.2% of total flows.

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