Lettuce and chicory market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the fresh lettuce and chicory market in Canada experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, largely driven by external supply shocks. After a peak of 326 тыс. т in 2019, the market contracted sharply to 294 тыс. т in 2020 due to widespread supply issues that constrained both imports and domestic production. A key turning point came in 2022 when severe drought and disease in California, a primary source of imports, caused major supply shortages and spiking prices in Canada. In response, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency imposed temporary import requirements for romaine lettuce from the United States in late 2022 to manage safety and supply concerns, contributing to a modest market recovery to 311 тыс. т that year.

Government policy initiatives played a growing role in shaping the market's recovery path. Continued investments under Canada's food policy framework aimed at stabilizing prices and improving supply chain resilience supported market access. By 2023, the market volume expanded to 324 тыс. т, fueled by a rebound in imports and a concurrent drop in exports. However, this growth occurred alongside persistently high input costs and interest rates, which pressured domestic producers and contributed to a slight decline in local production that year.

Over the full period from 2018 to 2023, the market demonstrated resilience, ultimately surpassing its pre-2020 size. The interplay of climate-related disruptions in key growing regions, regulatory interventions to ensure import safety, and broader federal efforts to secure the food supply were central factors explaining the market's volume movements, which ranged from 294 тыс. т to 324 тыс. т.

Production lettuce and chicory in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada ranked 23rd globally in lettuce and chicory production.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Canada's lettuce and chicory production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 66 813 tonnes, marking a significant drop of 21.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 22.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Canada's lettuce and chicory production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 102.8 million US dollars, showing a gradual year-over-year decrease of 8.6%. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 6.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 112.5 million US dollars, following the largest increase of 9.4% in 2018.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Canada exported 32.2 thousand tonnes of lettuce and chicory, which is 20.6% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 40.5 thousand tonnes, when exports saw their largest increase of 6.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, 99.6% of Canada's lettuce and chicory exports in volume were directed to the United States, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, lettuce and chicory exports from Canada declined. In 2020, exports were recorded at 49.5 million US dollars, down 7.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 13.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest value was in 2019 at 53.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for lettuce and chicory exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with the United States alone accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Canada imported 259.5 thousand tonnes of lettuce and chicory, indicating a limited year-over-year decrease of 7.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 6.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.4%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 281.7 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 2.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of lettuce and chicory to Canada in volume were almost entirely tied to the United States, which accounted for 95.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of lettuce and chicory to Canada stood at 434.5 million US dollars, down 2.5% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 423.8 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 445.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States concentrated almost all lettuce and chicory imports to Canada in value terms, with a share of 96.3% of total flows.

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

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