Cauliflowers and broccoli market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The Southern European market for fresh cauliflowers and broccoli saw considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 779 thousand tons in 2018, market volume expanded to 859 thousand tons by 2020, then contracted steadily to 674 thousand tons in 2023. Production mirrored this trajectory, peaking at 1.25 million tons in 2020 before declining to 1.10 million tons in 2023.

The decline from 2021 onward was primarily attributable to regional production challenges and shifting demand. In 2022, extreme weather in Murcia, Spain, and severe cold in Italy raised production costs and reduced yields, leading to a 6.8% drop in output. The following year, heavy rains in Spain further limited supply, while Italian consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables fell by 6.3%, compounding the market's contraction.

Production cauliflowers and broccoli in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cauliflowers and broccoli, 2017-2020

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

Southern Europe produced 1 254 thousand tonnes of cauliflowers and broccoli in 2020, representing a moderate year-on-year increase of 4.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 2.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's cauliflowers and broccoli production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 851 million US dollars, up 22.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 22.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 7.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 415 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.3%.

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

Exports cauliflowers and broccoli from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's exports of cauliflowers and broccoli in volume terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 444.7 thousand tonnes, down 1.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The peak volume was reached in 2018 at 491.5 thousand tonnes, which also marked the largest increase of 13.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Southern Europe's cauliflowers and broccoli exports in volume terms were the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. Together, they accounted for 53.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's exports of cauliflowers and broccoli in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 656.4 million US dollars, a strong rise of 14.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 19.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Southern Europe's cauliflowers and broccoli exports in value terms were the United Kingdom (26.1% of total export value), Germany (19.4%), and the Netherlands (10.7%). Combined, these three markets represented 56.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cauliflowers and broccoli to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's imports of cauliflowers and broccoli in volume terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 50.0 thousand tonnes, a slight rise of 1.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 48.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 13.4%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with growth of 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's suppliers of cauliflowers and broccoli in volume terms were diverse. France (13.1% of total import volume), Germany (8.2%), and the Netherlands (7.7%) together contributed only 29.0% of total imports, while many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's imports of cauliflowers and broccoli in value terms rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 74.4 million US dollars, a solid increase of 11.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 20.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 58.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 13.8%.

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

The structure of Southern Europe's cauliflowers and broccoli imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of partners. France (15.4% of total import value), Germany (11.3%), and the Netherlands (9.0%) jointly accounted for only 35.8% of total flows, while the remaining 64.2% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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