Lettuce and chicory market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the French fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory market experienced notable fluctuations. The market volume reached 775.2 thousand tons in 2018, supported by growing consumer awareness of chicory's health benefits and its emerging applications in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. However, a sharp contraction to 542.5 thousand tons followed in 2019, a period marked by a trend toward diversified compositions in fresh-cut products, reflecting shifting preferences for convenience. A modest recovery to 564.5 thousand tons occurred in 2020, driven by the sustained popularity of organic produce and rising demand for natural products with fewer additives.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market adapted through sustainable innovations. Volume stabilized at 564.3 thousand tons in 2021 as 22% of organic lettuce producers began adopting controlled-environment agriculture and introduced practices like drip irrigation, saving 45% water, alongside increased use of biodegradable packaging. By 2022, volume declined to 521.9 thousand tons, despite a 38% sales surge for pre-washed lettuce mixes in large retailers, indicating strong segment-specific demand for convenience. In 2023, volume further decreased to 486.0 thousand tons, but market value rose to $882 million, coinciding with expanded organic lettuce production—including investments in hydroponics and baby lettuce—and significant plastic reduction in packaging, such as Bonduelle's 40% cut.

In 2024, new French regulations on labeling and traceability for fresh products were implemented, enhancing consumer transparency. Simultaneously, a return to growth for fresh products in large-scale retail and the continued shift toward biodegradable packaging signaled lasting industry changes, while global factors like supply chain disruptions and agricultural input price fluctuations also influenced the market dynamics.

Production lettuce and chicory in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was one of the world's top producers of lettuce and chicory from 2017 to 2020, ranking 9th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

The market showed significant volatility over these years. Production hit its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with 733.6 thousand tons, representing a 232.6% increase from the previous year. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 36.0%. By 2020, production reached 492.3 thousand tons, marking a moderate 4.9% increase compared to 2019. Overall, production fluctuated 3.3-fold between the high of 2018 and the low of 2017.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market exhibited irregular changes, reflecting a volatile environment. The value of lettuce and chicory production in France reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 at 1,273 million US dollars, a 240.3% increase from the previous year. In 2019, the value recorded its largest decline of 35.6%. By 2020, the value stood at 900 million US dollars, up 9.9% year-over-year. Overall, the value fluctuated 3.4-fold between the high of 2018 and the low of 2017.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from France

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, France exported 35.7 thousand tons of lettuce and chicory, showing a robust decline of 14.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 26.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 16.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for France's lettuce and chicory exports in volume terms were Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, which together accounted for 65.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, France's lettuce and chicory exports were valued at 65.3 million US dollars, down 10.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.5%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 14.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (27.6% of export value), Switzerland (22.0%), and Italy (16.1%) formed the main group of destinations for France's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms, with a combined share of 65.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to France

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, France imported 107.9 thousand tons of lettuce and chicory, marking a 6.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 14.5%, with an annualized rate of -5.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 82.1 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 35.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 40.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France's lettuce and chicory imports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Spain, which accounted for 76.9% of total import flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year reduction, France's lettuce and chicory imports increased in 2020, reaching 142.7 million US dollars, a modest 3.4% rise year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 138.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France's lettuce and chicory imports in value terms were strongly focused on Spain, whose share reached 74.4% of total import flows, with other partners accounting for the rest.

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

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