Edible brassicas market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled edible brassicas in Northern America showed notable fluctuations in physical volume between 2018 and 2023. After growing to 2.45 million tonnes in 2019, the market stabilized near 2.44 million tonnes in 2020 before contracting sharply to 2.25 million tonnes in 2021. A recovery to 2.42 million tonnes followed in 2022, but volume fell again to 2.13 million tonnes in 2023. In value terms, the market demonstrated more resilience, rising from $2.27 billion in 2018 to a peak of $2.61 billion in 2022, with only a slight stabilization to $2.60 billion in 2023.

The market's dynamics were partly influenced by shifts in international trade. In 2023, a reported decrease in U.S. export value for brassicas coincided with a rise in import value, reflecting changing trade flows that contributed to the year's lower domestic production and market volume. Throughout the period, the sector maintained its significance in global trade, with the United States being a key exporter, which helped underpin market activity even during periods of slight volume adjustment.

By 2024, the operating environment for brassicas was evolving due to new regulatory and consumer trends. Updated FDA guidance on produce safety and the ongoing enforcement of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule set stricter standards for growing and handling. Simultaneously, sustained consumer demand for organic, locally sourced, and convenient fresh vegetables encouraged innovation, such as the introduction of prepared products like Napa Cabbage Hearts, while advances in seed breeding aimed at disease resistance supported production capabilities.

Production edible brassicas in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern America produced 2,444 thousand tonnes of edible brassicas, which represented a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 8.1%, with an average annual decrease of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,347 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with production rising by 4.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of edible brassicas in Northern America was valued at 1,957 million US dollars, marking a reduction of 5.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 5.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 1,885 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 2,077 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 8.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 10.2%.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Edible brassicas exports from Northern America declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with volumes falling by 7.0% to 86 thousand tonnes compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall increased by 15.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 96 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 29.1%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of gains, edible brassicas exports from Northern America declined in 2020, with a value of 68.5 million US dollars, representing an 11.7% year-on-year drop. Despite this, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 77.6 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 33.8%.

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

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

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

Imports edible brassicas to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

Edible brassicas imports into Northern America showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. In 2020, imports amounted to 84 thousand tonnes, a modest rise of 3.7% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 70 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 93.5%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 16.6%. The highest volume was noted in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 15 times compared to the 2018 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, China, and Spain were the leading sources for edible brassicas imports into Northern America in volume terms. Mexico accounted for 18.7% of imports, China for 1.2%, and Spain for 0.9%, together representing 20.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year advance, edible brassicas imports into Northern America declined in 2020, with a value of 480.5 million US dollars, indicating a small drop of 2.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 492.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Mexico, Spain, and Guatemala remained the key sources for edible brassicas imports into Northern America in value terms. Mexico accounted for 17.1% of imports, Spain for 0.8%, and Guatemala for 0.5%, collectively making up 18.4% of total import flows.

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

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