Lettuce and chicory market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

After reaching 37,210 tonnes in 2018, the Finnish lettuce and chicory market fell to 32,205 tonnes in 2019. It rebounded to 34,997 tonnes in 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions boosted home cooking, sustaining demand for these fresh vegetables.

Imports surged in 2021, helping lift the market to a peak of 38,471 tonnes. The following year, weakened consumer purchasing power reduced consumption of organic and plant-based foods, cutting the market to 36,166 tonnes. By 2023, the market stabilized near 36,170 tonnes despite ongoing pressure on household budgets.

In 2024, import volumes declined to 22,240 tonnes while exports rose, reflecting continued consumer purchasing power constraints and anticipated food price decreases.

Production lettuce and chicory in Finland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

Finland's production of lettuce and chicory reached 14 270 tonnes in 2020, marking a moderate increase of 4.8% compared to the previous year. Production had previously peaked in 2018 at 14 350 tonnes, then declined to its lowest point in 2019 at 13 620 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.1%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Finland

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 1 tonne, then surged to 24 tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic increase of 1 588.1% compared to the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 37 tonnes, creating a 26-fold difference between the highest and lowest years. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, when exports plummeted by 96.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland's lettuce and chicory exports were overwhelmingly concentrated on Estonia, which accounted for 97.8% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After rising for two consecutive years, Finland's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms declined in 2020. Exports totaled 171 thousand US dollars that year, representing a significant decrease of 25.0% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 228 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Finland's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms were almost entirely directed to Estonia, which accounted for 99.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Finland's lettuce and chicory import volumes increased in 2020. Imports reached 20 751 tonnes that year, showing an 11.6% year-over-year increase. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 586 tonnes, which also experienced the most significant decline of 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (53.5% of import volumes), Sweden (21.8%), and the Netherlands (9.3%) were the principal sources for Finland's lettuce and chicory imports, together accounting for 84.6% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Finland's lettuce and chicory imports in value terms amounted to 31 421 thousand US dollars, indicating a slight increase of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 31 096 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 33 924 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline happened in 2019 with an 8.3% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 4.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain (47.4% of import value), Sweden (31.0%), and the Netherlands (8.2%) remained the leading sources for Finland's lettuce and chicory imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 86.6% of total import value.

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

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