Cauliflowers and broccoli market in India

Earlier Report Observations

Production of cauliflowers and broccoli in India increased from 8.7 million tons in 2018 to 9.1 million tons in 2019, a rise of 4.8%. In 2020, output dipped slightly to 8.9 million tons. During 2019, exports of these vegetables contracted by 16.23%, though export volumes remained minimal relative to the vast domestic market.

After 2020, production recovered, reaching 9.2 million tons in 2021 and 9.6 million tons in 2022. By 2023, output stabilized at 9.5 million tons. This period saw upward trends in wholesale prices for fresh cauliflower and broccoli, reflecting shifts in supply and demand. Consumer preferences also shifted toward broccoli as a more profitable crop, although its retail prices typically drop over the season.

By 2024, India became the world's largest consumer of cauliflowers and broccoli, with consumption reaching 9.6 million tons. Demand growth has been driven by rising health consciousness, urbanization, and higher incomes. New market segments such as broccoli powder have emerged, while packaging and labeling regulations by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have influenced market practices. However, challenges like supply chain inefficiencies and post-harvest losses persist.

Production cauliflowers and broccoli in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

India was the world's second-largest producer of cauliflowers and broccoli between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

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

After rising for two consecutive years, India's production of cauliflowers and broccoli fell in 2020. That year, the country produced 8,941 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decline of 1.6% from 2019. Over the entire 2017–2020 period, production grew by 4.5%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9,083 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year growth of 4.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports cauliflowers and broccoli from India

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility throughout the period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 270.0 tonnes, which saw the sharpest decline of 41.5%. By 2020, exports rebounded strongly to 883.7 tonnes, representing a substantial increase of 128.4% compared to the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 3.3-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nepal, Japan, and Russia were the top destinations for India's cauliflower and broccoli exports by volume. Nepal accounted for 58.0% of exports, Japan for 15.2%, and Russia for 7.6%. Together, these three countries made up 80.9% of India's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, India's cauliflower and broccoli exports by value dropped in 2020. That year, exports totaled $176.7 thousand, a decrease of 43.4% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 span, export value fell by 22.5%, averaging an annual decline of 8.1%. The peak was in 2019 at $312.4 thousand, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 26.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan, Nepal, and Russia were the main importers of Indian cauliflowers and broccoli by value. Japan's share was 42.7%, Nepal's was 17.1%, and Russia's was 9.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 69.8% of India's total export earnings from this product.

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

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

Imports cauliflowers and broccoli to India

Imports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all of India's cauliflower and broccoli imports by volume came from Nepal, which accounted for 100.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, India's imports of cauliflowers and broccoli by value were almost entirely sourced from Nepal, with a share of 100.0% of total import value.

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

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