Cauliflowers and broccoli market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for fresh cauliflowers and broccoli started the period under the National OCM Ortofrutta Strategy 2018‑2022, which emphasized quality and sustainability. Updated EU marketing standards requiring clear origin labeling and simplified commercial rules introduced in 2019 provided a regulatory framework that supported market activity, contributing to a volume increase to 316.0 thousand tons that year.

A sharp reversal occurred in 2020 when intense February cold damaged crop quality and pushed market prices below production costs, leading to reduced consumption and the use of market withdrawal measures. These production and market difficulties persisted through 2021, keeping consumption modest and prices low, which drove the domestic market volume down to 281.6 thousand tons.

Recovery began in 2022, supported by rising prices for organic cauliflowers and broccoli and positive early‑year market trends. By 2023, varietal innovations such as Syngenta Vegetable Seeds’ new broccoli varieties ‘Gongga’ and ‘Monrello’ enhanced product quality for late harvests. However, sector representatives highlighted ongoing challenges including geopolitical instability, phytosanitary emergencies, and a reported 18% drop in consumption from 2018 to 2023, underscoring calls for urgent support measures.

Production cauliflowers and broccoli in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Italy ranked as the 6th largest producer of cauliflowers and broccoli during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Italy produced 365.4 thousand tons of cauliflowers and broccoli, representing a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 0.9%, while 2019 saw no significant change, with a minimal increase of 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cauliflower and broccoli production in Italy has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 496.6 million US dollars, marking a substantial rise of 16.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 26.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

Exports cauliflowers and broccoli from Italy

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Italy's exports of cauliflowers and broccoli rebounded in 2020. The export volume reached 77,838 tons, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 6.5%. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports overall decreased by 6.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 73,106 tons, with the largest drop of 10.7% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Czechia were the top contributors to Italy's exports of cauliflowers and broccoli in volume terms. Germany accounted for 42.3% of exports, Austria for 9.3%, and Czechia for 7.1%, together making up 58.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy exported cauliflowers and broccoli worth 105.8 million US dollars, reflecting a significant gain of 24.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 20.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 84.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, three key markets—Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—collectively accounted for 59.2% of Italy's total export value for cauliflowers and broccoli.

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

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

Imports cauliflowers and broccoli to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy imported approximately 18,508 tons of cauliflowers and broccoli in 2020, constituting an 11.6% year-over-year reduction. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 15,211 tons, with the largest drop of 28.4% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 37.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Spain, and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Italy's imports of cauliflowers and broccoli in volume terms. France contributed 31.6% of imports, Spain 27.0%, and the Netherlands 15.4%, together accounting for 73.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's imports of cauliflowers and broccoli amounted to 23.1 million US dollars, reflecting a slight reduction of 1.4% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 16.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 31.6%. Conversely, 2019 saw the largest increase of 46.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Spain, and the Netherlands remained the main markets for Italy's imports of cauliflowers and broccoli in value terms. France accounted for 32.3% of imports, Spain for 30.1%, and the Netherlands for 14.5%, jointly taking 76.9% of total import flows.

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

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