Edible brassicas market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh edible brassicas in Northern Europe began the period at 954.6 thousand tons in 2018, experienced a minor dip to 948.6 thousand tons in 2019, then grew to a peak of 976.1 thousand tons in 2020. The start of this period was marked by a significant initiative from Norwegian agricultural organizations, supported by major players like BAMA and Gartnerhallen, to boost consumption of domestically produced vegetables, including brassicas, aiming to increase the share of Norwegian-grown produce in the market.

Following the peak, the market volume entered a phase of contraction, declining to 929.4 thousand tons in 2021, 894.2 thousand tons in 2022, and 878.7 thousand tons in 2023. During these years, several consumer and industry trends emerged, including a growing interest in home gardening of easy-care perennial brassica varieties, recognized for their climate resilience and nutritional value. A shift towards local and seasonal food, facilitated by distributors like Rekoringen, alongside increasing awareness of the health benefits of brassicas—such as their potential to reduce inflammation and cancer risk—influenced preferences. The market also saw rising sales of frozen vegetables and a broader trend towards plant-based diets, which affected distribution patterns and consumption habits.

Production edible brassicas in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Northern Europe's edible brassicas production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 664.6 K t, marking a moderate 9.3% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 608.2 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 19.3% decrease.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Edible brassicas exports from Northern Europe continued their downward trend for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 30.4 K t, showing a modest 8.9% decline compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 22.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of -8.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of edible brassicas from Northern Europe included Belarus with 19.4% of exports in kind, the Netherlands at 10.7%, and Malaysia with 6.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 37.1% of total exports in kind, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, edible brassicas exports from Northern Europe in value terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 30.6 M $ US, representing a solid 14.1% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 35.7 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 19.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of edible brassicas from Northern Europe were distributed across many countries. The Netherlands accounted for 11.7% of exports in value terms, Belarus for 6.6%, and Norway for 3.7%, with these three jointly making up only 22.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports edible brassicas to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year rise, Northern Europe's edible brassicas imports in kind declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 341.8 K t, showing a modest 8.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.2%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.8%. The highest level was recorded in 2019 at 373.8 K t, while the largest increase happened in 2018 with a 2.0% rise.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Spain was the leading source for edible brassicas imports in kind to Northern Europe with 49.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 16.4% and Germany with 9.4%. Together, these three countries dominated the imports, accounting for 75.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's edible brassicas imports in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 501.8 M $ US, up by 1.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.7%, with an annualized rate of 5.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany—collectively represented 75.5% of total imports in value terms of edible brassicas to Northern Europe.

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

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