Lettuce and chicory market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for lettuce and chicory in China saw steady growth in both volume and value. Consumer emphasis on freshness and nutritional quality, along with the rapid development of the fresh-cut vegetable and salad market, supported consistent demand. In 2020, the essential nature of fresh produce led traditional retailers and e-commerce platforms to increase their focus and investment in the category, further sustaining market expansion.

A significant shift began in 2021 as the prepared meal market entered a phase of accelerated growth. Driven by rising consumer demand for convenience and health, this expansion directly increased the need for fresh vegetables as raw ingredients, pushing the market value substantially higher through 2022. The industry's growth was further fueled by the entry of major corporate players into the fresh food sector, which spurred supply chain optimization and product diversification.

By 2023, while physical consumption remained stable, the market value experienced a correction. Intensifying competition within the prepared meal segment and a broader industry focus on product standardization and quality placed pressure on margins. These developments, coupled with ongoing efforts to improve supply chain efficiency, contributed to the adjustment in the overall market valuation.

Production lettuce and chicory in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the world's leading producer of lettuce and chicory, ranking first globally.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

China's lettuce and chicory production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 14 821 thousand tonnes, marking a slight increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's lettuce and chicory production value also increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 18 980 million US dollars, up 21.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the production value grew by 47.2%, averaging 13.8% per year.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's lettuce and chicory exports continued to rise for the third straight year. In 2020, the country exported 162.7 thousand tonnes, a 24.8% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 69.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for China's lettuce and chicory exports by volume were Hong Kong, accounting for 64.6% of exports, South Korea at 10.5%, and Vietnam at 8.3%. Together, these three markets made up 83.4% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of China's lettuce and chicory exports grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 208.3 million US dollars, a significant jump of 49.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 141.9%, averaging 34.2% annually.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong dominated China's lettuce and chicory exports by value, consistently holding 76.6% of the total. This indicates a high reliance on this market, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to China

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed an unstable trend during this period. Volumes hit their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 652-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China imported 0.0 thousand tonnes of lettuce and chicory, a sharp decline of 99.8% from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 3,581.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China's lettuce and chicory imports by volume were highly concentrated, with Asia, not elsewhere specified, accounting for 94.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. From the low in 2020 to the high in 2019, import values varied by 107 times. In 2020, China's lettuce and chicory imports totaled 0.0 million US dollars, down 99.1% from 2019. The peak value was in 2019 at 0.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 870.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified remained the dominant source for China's lettuce and chicory imports by value, with an 80.2% share of total flows. Other markets contributed the remainder, forming a long tail.

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

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