Edible brassicas market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for edible brassicas in Lithuania experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volume reaching a peak of 70 850 t in 2022. Growth to 70 364 t in 2019 was driven by the introduction of new product forms like Korean-style brassicas and trade networks actively promoting consumer loyalty to local Lithuanian produce. A contraction to 59 046 t in 2020 reflected pandemic-related supply chain and production disruptions during quarantine periods, despite a concurrent surge in home cooking and fresh food preparation.

Market recovery to 66 527 t in 2021 was supported by an increased cabbage harvest and the modernization of processing lines within the food industry, enhancing product availability. Further expansion to 70 850 t in 2022 aligned with growing consumer interest in sustainable, locally grown, and fermented foods, alongside a general expansion in fresh vegetable retail sales and e-commerce logistics.

A decline to 65 403 t in 2023 coincided with rising industrial production costs, which likely tempered purchasing activity. However, underlying demand remained shaped by a sustained focus on healthy nutrition and the high dietary value of brassicas, reinforcing their role in traditional Lithuanian cuisine.

Production edible brassicas in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2018-2021

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2018-2021

In 2019, Lithuania produced 55 790 tonnes of edible brassicas, marking the highest output in recent years with a 9.7% increase. However, production dropped significantly in 2020 to 47 540 tonnes, representing a 14.8% decline. By 2021, production recovered to 51 170 tonnes, showing a 7.6% uptick from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports edible brassicas from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Lithuania's exports of edible brassicas have been declining for three consecutive years. In 2021, exports fell to 2 938 tonnes, down 21.3% year-over-year. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 66.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 30.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus and Latvia were the dominant markets for Lithuania's edible brassicas exports, together accounting for 85.8% of the total volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Lithuania's edible brassicas exports in value terms saw a modest recovery. In 2021, exports reached 2 792 thousand US dollars, up 5.0% year-over-year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 660 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 17.7% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the main buyers of Lithuanian edible brassicas in value terms were Belarus (42.6% of exports), Latvia (37.0%), and Estonia (9.4%). Together, these three countries comprised 89.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports edible brassicas to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Lithuania's imports of edible brassicas rebounded in 2021. Imports totaled 18 295 tonnes, showing a strong 20.1% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 12.6%, with a CAGR of -4.4%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 15 239 tonnes, which marked a 24.1% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, the primary suppliers of edible brassicas to Lithuania by volume were Poland (34.9% of imports), the Netherlands (15.3%), and North Macedonia (12.3%). These three countries together accounted for 62.5% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Lithuania imported 14 658 thousand US dollars worth of edible brassicas, a significant 25.9% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 17.2%, with an annualized rate of 5.4%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 11 647 thousand US dollars, which represented a 20.0% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the largest shares of Lithuania's edible brassicas imports in value terms came from Poland (30.2%), the Netherlands (15.4%), and Germany (11.6%). Combined, these three countries made up 57.2% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021