Lettuce and chicory market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the fresh lettuce and chicory market in Germany saw its value rise significantly, peaking at 812 million USD in 2021, while physical volume also reached a high of 464 thousand tonnes that same year. The market's reliance on imports remained a constant feature due to domestic production covering only about two-thirds of demand, setting a structural backdrop for the period.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains but simultaneously strengthened consumer focus on fresh and healthy foods, sustaining market volume. This shift in preferences merged with growing trends for regionality and sustainability, which became primary demand drivers and fueled the notable market growth in both volume and value observed in 2021.

In the later years, broader global supply chain constraints and rising energy costs, evident by 2023, began to pressure production expenses and consumer prices. This contributed to a contraction in market volume, even as the market's value increased, reflecting higher costs and enduring consumer interest in fresh, minimally processed, and sustainably positioned products.

Production lettuce and chicory in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany was one of the world's leading producers of lettuce and chicory from 2017 to 2020, ranking 12th 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

In 2020, Germany produced 226.2 thousand tonnes of lettuce and chicory, a 5.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 36.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 13.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 35.7% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 5.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of lettuce and chicory in Germany was valued at 284.8 million US dollars, down 7.8% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 32.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.3%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 27.1%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 0.3%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's lettuce and chicory exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 44.9 thousand tonnes, a 6.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 6.7%, equating to an average annual rate of 2.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 48.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Austria, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of lettuce and chicory from Germany in terms of volume. Italy accounted for 19.8% of exports, Austria for 18.0%, and the Netherlands for 16.1%, with their combined share reaching 54.0% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, lettuce and chicory shipments from Germany abroad declined. In 2020, exports totaled 56.6 million US dollars, an 8.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 61.8 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 21.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands were the key markets for Germany's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms, together accounting for 62.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Germany's lettuce and chicory imports increased. In 2020, imports reached 262.7 thousand tonnes, a 3.8% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 253.2 thousand tonnes, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 5.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands were the main sources for lettuce and chicory imports into Germany in terms of volume, together making up 83.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign lettuce and chicory supplies to Germany increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 450.9 million US dollars, showing a 6.2% advance from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 3.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 1.1%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 419.6 million US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2018 at 3.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands remained the primary sources for lettuce and chicory imports into Germany in value terms. Spain accounted for 40.6% of imports, Italy for 24.1%, and the Netherlands for 16.4%, with their combined share reaching 81.1% of total import flows.

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

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