Lettuce and chicory market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, lettuce and chicory production in Australia fell from 148 thousand tonnes to 121 thousand tonnes. This decline was driven by a sustained drop in vegetable receipts, particularly for lettuce, which reduced farm cash income and reflected ongoing challenges in the vegetable sector.

Output rebounded to 139 thousand tonnes in 2021 as consumer interest in freshness and local food during the COVID-19 pandemic heightened demand for fresh vegetables. However, production dropped again in 2022 to 135 thousand tonnes after severe floods damaged crops in key growing regions like Queensland and New South Wales, while global supply chain disruptions from the war in Ukraine and the pandemic increased costs and exacerbated labour shortages.

Production recovered to 145 thousand tonnes in 2023. Cooler spring weather that year softened salad demand, but convenience formats such as bagged salad maintained solid market reach. Retail performance insights indicated mixed trends, with head lettuce seeing value growth despite volume declines, pointing to shifts in consumer preferences.

Production lettuce and chicory in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia ranked 16th globally in lettuce and chicory production volume.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2018-2021

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2018-2021

After two years of decline, lettuce and chicory production in Australia increased in 2021. The country produced 139.0 K t, marking a strong 15.2% gain compared to 2020. However, over the full period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 6.3%, which equates to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The lowest production was recorded in 2020 at 120.7 K t, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Australia's lettuce and chicory production value increased in 2021. Output was valued at 723.5 M $ US, up 33.8% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 540.7 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports lettuce and chicory from Australia

Exports in kind, t

Australia's lettuce and chicory export volume declined for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country exported 1 262 t, a drop of 16.5% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 39%, with a CAGR of 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia were the core markets for Australia's lettuce and chicory exports in kind. Singapore accounted for 54.8% of exports, Hong Kong for 21.3%, and Malaysia for 5.9%. Together, these three markets represented 82.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Australia's lettuce and chicory export value declined for the third consecutive year in 2021. Export volume reached 6 568 K $ US, a slight decrease of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 26.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand formed the key group of partners for Australia's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms. Singapore accounted for 51.1% of exports, Hong Kong for 26.2%, and Thailand for 5.3%. Collectively, these three partners represented 82.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports lettuce and chicory to Australia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. Imports bottomed in 2021 and peaked in 2020, with a 240-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Australia imported approximately 0.1 t of lettuce and chicory, a drop of 99.6% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 27 t, with the largest increase also occurring in 2020 at 44.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand was the key partner for Australia's lettuce and chicory imports in kind, accounting for 97.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance from 2018 to 2021. Imports bottomed in 2021 and peaked in 2020, with a 192-fold difference. In 2021, Australia imported approximately 1 K $ US of lettuce and chicory, indicating a dramatic contraction of 99.5% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 165 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 54.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the market structure was highly concentrated, with New Zealand alone responsible for 98.7% of Australia's total lettuce and chicory imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021