Edible brassicas market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled edible brassicas in Western Europe grew steadily from 1.8 million tons in 2018 to a peak of 2.1 million tons in 2020, driven by increased production and stable import levels.

After 2020, the market volume gradually contracted, falling to 2.1 million tons in 2021 and then more sharply to 1.9 million tons in 2022, before a slight recovery to 1.9 million tons in 2023. Production followed a similar pattern, reaching its highest point in 2021 at 2.0 million tons before declining in the following years.

In 2024, the European Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) entered into force, introducing new sustainability requirements for the food industry, while pilot projects for vertical farming in urban areas, such as the Urban Growers Guild initiative, aimed to reduce transport costs and carbon emissions in plant cultivation.

Production edible brassicas in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Western Europe's edible brassicas production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 017 thousand tons, marking a 3.3% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 5.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 804 thousand tons, when output fell by 15.7%—the steepest drop in this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production growing by 8.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's edible brassicas production has grown in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 974 million US dollars, reflecting a solid 10.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 7.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 278 million US dollars, when it declined by 11.1%—the most significant decrease observed.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports edible brassicas from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Western Europe's edible brassicas export volume rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 472.8 thousand tons, which is 33.0% higher than the previous year. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.7%, averaging a 0.9% annual decline. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 355.5 thousand tons, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 17.4% decrease.

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

The composition of edible brassicas exports from Western Europe was quite dispersed between 2017 and 2020. The United Kingdom accounted for 9.2% of exports in volume, Sweden for 6.2%, and Italy for 6.0%. Together, these three countries made up just 21.3% of total flows, with the remaining 78.7% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of edible brassicas from Western Europe were valued at 476.7 million US dollars, representing a 6.6% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 8.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 430.0 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 510.2 million US dollars, when exports surged by 18.7%—the largest increase in this timeframe.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Sweden were key buyers of edible brassicas from Western Europe in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 9.9% of export value, Italy for 6.2%, and Sweden for 4.6%. However, their combined share reached only 20.7% of total exports, with the remaining 79.3% spread across many other trading partners.

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

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

Imports edible brassicas to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Edible brassicas imports into Western Europe have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 558.1 thousand tons, an 11.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 10.1%, averaging a 3.2% annual rise. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 487.0 thousand tons, when it declined by 4.0%—the largest drop observed.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for edible brassicas imports into Western Europe in volume were Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Spain accounted for 37.4% of imports, Italy for 15.8%, and Portugal for 4.0%. Together, these three countries made up 57.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's edible brassicas imports have increased in value for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 779.7 million US dollars, marking a 15.1% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 17.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 633.7 million US dollars, when it fell by 4.1%—the most significant decline in this timeframe.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Italy, and Portugal were the main destinations for edible brassicas imports into Western Europe in value terms. Spain accounted for 42.9% of import value, Italy for 18.3%, and Portugal for 2.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 63.8% of total imports.

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

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