Chicory market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The chicory root market in Southern Europe grew consistently from 4 154 t in 2018 to a peak of 5 025 t in 2022. This expansion was driven by several supply and demand factors. In 2020, S‑dzucker Group's expansion of its chicory production capacity in Chile increased the availability of raw material for the region. The following year, Cosucra Groupe Warcoing launched new chicory‑based ingredients, broadening the product range and stimulating innovation. Consumer shift towards healthy, caffeine‑free alternatives gained significant momentum in 2022 when the Spanish retail chain Mercadona actively promoted instant chicory as a coffee substitute, aligning with a global trend that saw instant powder become the largest market segment.

After the 2022 peak, the market volume contracted to 4 724 t in 2023. While domestic production in Southern Europe remained stable at around 3 600 t, imports fell notably. This decline occurred alongside emerging pressures on the horticultural supply chain, including climate‑change impacts and rising energy costs, which began affecting production logistics and costs in the region. Mercadona's continued commercialization of chicory products helped maintain baseline consumer interest, but the market adjusted to these broader economic and environmental headwinds.

Production chicory in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicory, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, chicory production remained virtually unchanged in 2020, totaling 3,617 tonnes, which was similar to the previous year's output. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 66%, with a compound annual growth rate of -30.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,613 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 66.0%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, with a modest rise of 0.1%.

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

Exports chicory from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment for chicory exports from Southern Europe. The period showed a trough in 2019, with exports at 1.0 tonne, and a peak in 2020, reaching 31.6 tonnes, representing a 32-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports surged by 3,107.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a decrease of 68.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of chicory from Southern Europe in terms of volume were New Zealand, accounting for 33.8% of exports, Argentina with 33.7%, and the Netherlands at 17.7%. Together, these three countries comprised 85.2% of total exports in kind.

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, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export volumes reached a trough in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 13.6 times. In 2020, Southern Europe exported chicory worth 203.6 thousand US dollars, which was 460.1% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 15.0 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 20.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of chicory from Southern Europe in value terms were Argentina, representing 36.0% of exports, New Zealand at 35.4%, and Romania with 13.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 84.9% of total exports in value.

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 chicory to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's chicory imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 990.6 tonnes, which was 22.3% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 543.1 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 31.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 49.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for chicory imports to Southern Europe in terms of volume were India, accounting for 47.3% of imports, France with 20.7%, and Belgium at 14.9%. Together, these three countries represented 83.0% of total import flows in kind.

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, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of chicory to Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe imported chicory worth an unspecified amount, which was 36.4% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 45.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 601.0 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 8.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for chicory imports to Southern Europe in value terms were India, representing 30.4% of imports, France with 30.0%, and Belgium at 20.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.3% of total import flows in value.

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

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