Globe artichokes market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh globe artichokes in Western Europe declined from approximately 59 000 tonnes in 2018 to 41 000 tonnes in 2020. This drop was primarily driven by a sustained reduction in cultivation areas in France, the region's key producer, where farmland dedicated to artichokes shrank by over 22% between 2018 and 2022. The crop's specific soil requirements and need for frequent rotation further constrained local output, leading to lower domestic production despite rising imports from Spain.

A temporary rebound to 45 000 tonnes occurred in 2021, supported by shifting consumer preferences toward healthy, convenient foods and greater adoption of e-commerce channels. However, the market contracted again in the following years, falling to 33 600 tonnes by 2023. This later decline coincided with the implementation of stricter EU food safety and labeling regulations, which affected marketing and distribution, while production challenges in France persisted.

Throughout the period, the market saw structural shifts, including the growing dominance of integrated players like Italy's Orogel, which controls a large share of the frozen segment. Innovation in preservation techniques, expansion of cold-chain logistics, and rising demand for organic and certified products, such as the Spanish IGP 'Alcachofa de Tudela,' continued to shape the competitive landscape, even as overall volume trended downward.

Production globe artichokes in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of globe artichokes, 2017-2020

World map of production of globe artichokes, 2017-2020

Globe artichoke production in Western Europe has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 26 832 tonnes, marking a significant drop of 29.5% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 43.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 17.2%.

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

Exports globe artichokes from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 5 744 tonnes of globe artichokes, a decrease of 13.7% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 42.8%, averaging an annual decline of 17.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 365 tonnes. That same year saw the sharpest fall of 46.6%, while 2019 experienced the largest increase at 24.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, globe artichoke exports from Western Europe were widely distributed across various markets. Italy accounted for 23.6% of exports, Switzerland for 8.3%, and the United Kingdom for 5.3%. Together, these three countries made up just 37.2% of total export flows, indicating a broad spread.

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, K $ US

After two years of decline, Western Europe's globe artichoke exports in value terms saw an uptick. In 2020, exports reached 14 874 thousand US dollars, rising by 12.9% year-on-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 35.3%, with an average annual rate of decline of 13.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 13 171 thousand US dollars, and the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 35.8%.

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

The distribution of export value from 2017 to 2020 was quite dispersed. Italy contributed 21.3% of the total value, Switzerland 10.8%, and the United Kingdom 4.6%. Combined, these three countries represented only 36.7% of total flows, leaving the remaining 63.3% spread across a wide range of other destinations.

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 globe artichokes to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe imported 19 855 tonnes of globe artichokes, a slight decrease of 1.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 21.1%, averaging an annual decline of 7.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 17 418 tonnes. That year also saw the steepest decline of 30.8%, while 2019 recorded the largest increase at 16.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for globe artichoke imports into Western Europe were Spain, Italy, and Egypt. Spain accounted for 55.2% of imports, Italy for 20.2%, and Egypt for 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented 76.4% 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, K $ US

Western Europe's globe artichoke imports in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 42 610 thousand US dollars, showing a modest rise of 2.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 9.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 40 811 thousand US dollars, and the largest drop occurred that same year at 13.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain, Italy, and Egypt were the key players in globe artichoke imports by value into Western Europe. Spain made up 46.6% of the total value, Italy 22.7%, and Egypt 1.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 70.4% of total import flows.

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

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