Lettuce and chicory market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh lettuce and chicory in Eastern Europe expanded from 225 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 263 thousand tons in 2022, before a slight correction in 2023. Growth in the early period was underpinned by rising domestic production in key regions and robust consumer demand, reinforced by the increasing popularity of healthy lifestyles. A growing interest in organic and environmentally friendly products provided further impetus in 2021.

Geopolitical tensions in 2022 severely disrupted logistics and caused sharp currency fluctuations, leading to procurement price hikes of 25–90% for imported salad mixes. Despite these cost pressures, total market volume reached a record high, reflecting continued winter reliance on imports. By 2023, inflationary pressures and increased production costs contributed to higher retail prices and a modest volume contraction, even as major greenhouse agri-holdings reported increased harvests and a strategic focus on import substitution.

In 2024, a new vegetable and greens processing, storage, and packaging plant launched in Bashkortostan with over 1 billion rubles in investment, aimed at boosting domestic production capacity. Concurrently, stricter hygiene and transportation standards for ready-made salads enhanced consumer trust in chilled products, while sales of prepared meals containing salads surged by 28.8% year-on-year, sustaining market activity.

Production lettuce and chicory in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen lettuce and chicory production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 96 240 tonnes, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of lettuce and chicory production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has also increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 168.9 million US dollars, showing a significant 14.1% gain compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 23.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports lettuce and chicory from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, lettuce and chicory exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. Exports dropped to 20.2 thousand tonnes, down 34.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 30.7 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for lettuce and chicory in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 8.1% of exports, Italy for 5.9%, and Austria for 4.7%, together making up only 18.8% of total flows. The remaining 81.2% was distributed among many other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of rising values, lettuce and chicory exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell in 2020. Exports were recorded at 35.4 million US dollars, reflecting a 27.4% year-over-year drop. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 5.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The highest value was in 2019 at 48.7 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 26.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value-based export structure from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diverse range of trading partners. Austria contributed 11.0% of export value, Germany 10.6%, and Lithuania 3.8%, together accounting for just 25.4% of total flows. The remaining 74.6% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports lettuce and chicory to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, lettuce and chicory imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. Imports stood at 131.9 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 23.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 9.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 173.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and Germany remained the primary suppliers of lettuce and chicory to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Spain accounted for 33.1% of imports in volume, Italy for 15.5%, and Germany for 9.5%, together forming 58.1% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increases, the value of lettuce and chicory imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. Imports totalled 191.8 million US dollars, marking a significant 14.5% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 6.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest value was in 2019 at 224.3 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Spain, Italy, and Germany dominated the value of lettuce and chicory imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Spain accounted for 27.1% of import value, Italy for 20.2%, and Germany for 15.9%, together comprising 63.2% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020