Cauliflowers and broccoli market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Dutch market for cauliflower and broccoli experienced fluctuations, with volume peaking at over 78,000 t in 2022 after a period of modest decline. The market size settled at 73,595 t in 2023, reflecting changes in both supply and demand conditions over the six-year span.

Growth in market volume during 2021 and 2022 was supported by changing consumer habits, particularly the rising popularity of online vegetable purchases where cauliflower and broccoli ranked among the top choices. Simultaneously, Dutch cultivation of these vegetables continued to expand, and adverse weather in Southern Europe, such as drought and heat in Spain, disrupted local harvests and created export opportunities for Dutch producers, further stimulating production and trade.

The market contraction in 2023 coincided with a shift in consumer preferences, as the share of households buying cauliflower declined despite stable per-household volumes. This indicated a move toward convenience-oriented consumption patterns, affecting overall market volume.

Production cauliflowers and broccoli in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, the Netherlands ranked as the 27th 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

Following a two-year decline, cauliflowers and broccoli production in the Netherlands rebounded. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 65 710 tonnes, but by 2020, it had increased by 6.2% to 69 800 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 6.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of cauliflowers and broccoli production in the Netherlands saw a slight downturn. In 2019, production peaked at 96 136 thousand US dollars, but in 2020, it remained nearly unchanged at 96 045 thousand US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value rose by 13%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cauliflowers and broccoli from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

Exports of cauliflowers and broccoli from the Netherlands grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, shipments reached 47 125 tonnes, marking a 13.3% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 29%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and Italy were the primary destinations for Dutch cauliflowers and broccoli exports by volume. Germany accounted for 24.6% of exports, Belgium for 20.7%, and Italy for 6.9%, collectively making up 52.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of cauliflowers and broccoli exports from the Netherlands continued to rise for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 64 844 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 6.6% increase from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 47.1%, with an average annual rate of 13.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Belgium, and Italy were the leading buyers of Dutch cauliflowers and broccoli by value. Germany represented 24.3% of exports, Belgium 16.8%, and Italy 5.8%, together accounting for 46.8% of total export value, while numerous smaller partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports cauliflowers and broccoli to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, the Netherlands imported 48 679 tonnes of cauliflowers and broccoli, a slight decrease of 0.8% from the previous year. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 45 905 tonnes, with the largest decline of 8.2% occurring that year. However, imports rebounded in 2019 with a 6.9% increase. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 2.7%, averaging an annual decline of 0.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Spain and France were the main sources of cauliflowers and broccoli imports into the Netherlands by volume, jointly contributing 83.2% of total imports, while other countries had smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of cauliflowers and broccoli imports into the Netherlands increased for the second straight year. In 2020, imports totaled 64 303 thousand US dollars, up 9.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 52 702 thousand US dollars, with a 5.6% decline that year, followed by an 11.2% rise in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and France dominated as suppliers of cauliflowers and broccoli to the Netherlands by value, together holding 82.2% of total import value, with other sources each accounting for relatively minor shares.

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

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