Globe artichokes market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh globe artichokes in Italy declined from 609 thousand tons in 2018 to 554 thousand tons in 2023, with intermediate fluctuations. Adverse weather conditions repeatedly constrained supply, notably in 2023 when low temperatures caused a one-month delay in the availability of Ligurian artichokes, significantly limiting volumes. Similarly, unfavorable weather in 2022 led to delays for some varieties, contributing to the overall contraction.

Despite the falling physical volume, the market's value increased from 900 million USD in 2018 to over 1.1 billion USD in 2023, driven by higher prices and a shift toward premium products. Consumer demand grew for organic artichokes and items with low environmental impact, prompting producers to introduce new varieties and enhance promotion. Regulatory measures, such as the strengthened DE.CO origin certification for Ligurian artichokes, aimed to protect local production and ensure traceability, further supporting value growth.

The market's structure evolved, with the sales share of discount stores rising from 18% to 24% by 2022, while online channels and home delivery gained prominence. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a limited direct impact on production, but sustained demand for fresh and healthy foods helped maintain market stability during the period.

Production globe artichokes in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of globe artichokes, 2017-2020

World map of production of globe artichokes, 2017-2020

Southern Europe's globe artichoke production has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the region produced 580.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.4% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of globe artichoke production in Southern Europe was 940 million US dollars, showing a slight year-on-year decrease of 2.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value dropped by 6.2%, averaging a 2.1% annual decline. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 914 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 8.8%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase of 5.3%.

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

Exports globe artichokes from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Globe artichoke exports from Southern Europe have fallen for two years in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 15 217 tonnes, an 8.3% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.8%, with an average annual rate of 1.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 17 462 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Belgium were the top destinations for globe artichoke exports from Southern Europe in volume terms. France accounted for 64.2% of exports, Germany for 12.6%, and Belgium for 3.7%, together making up 80.4% of total export flows.

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

After two years of growth, globe artichoke exports from Southern Europe declined in 2020. The region exported 24 639 thousand US dollars worth of globe artichokes, a moderate 8.2% decrease year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 3%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 26 829 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the largest buyers of globe artichokes from Southern Europe in value terms. France represented 62.5% of exports, Germany 13.6%, and the Netherlands 3.7%, collectively accounting for 79.8% of total export 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 globe artichokes to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

The import market for globe artichokes in Southern Europe showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 9 004 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 16 637 tonnes, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 10 786 tonnes, a sharp 35.2% decrease from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 41.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 84.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Tunisia, and France were the main sources of globe artichoke imports to Southern Europe in volume terms, together accounting for 85.4% of total imports.

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

In 2020, globe artichoke imports to Southern Europe were valued at 14 367 thousand US dollars, a steep 30.4% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29%, with an average annual decline of 10.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 12 300 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 39.2%. The highest value was in 2019 at 20 642 thousand US dollars, recording the largest increase of 67.8%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Egypt, Tunisia, and France contributed the most to globe artichoke imports to Southern Europe in value terms. Egypt accounted for 39.2% of imports, Tunisia for 30.8%, and France for 13.8%, jointly making up 83.7% of total import flows.

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

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