Lettuce and chicory market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory in India grew steadily from 1 144 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 185 thousand tonnes in 2021. This expansion accelerated in 2020 when pandemic-driven shifts increased consumer preference for immunity-boosting foods like lettuce and spurred online shopping for fresh produce. The following year, a 2.1% rise was further supported by the emergence of modern retail formats, including food courts and specialty stores in malls, alongside the growing popularity of exotic vegetables, which improved market access and boosted consumption.

After reaching a peak in 2021, the market volume stabilized around 1 170 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 2023. During this period, the implementation of the GST tax system with specific HSN codes for lettuce and chicory standardized market operations and classification. Concurrently, the growth of salad bowl franchises and an increased focus on food safety, traceability, and sustainable packaging reflected evolving consumer preferences and distribution channels, while the overall market size remained relatively flat.

Production lettuce and chicory in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India held the third position globally in lettuce and chicory production.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

India's lettuce and chicory production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 162 thousand tonnes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 0.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from India

Exports in kind, t

India's lettuce and chicory exports continued to rise for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 981.0 tonnes, a significant 72.6% jump from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 243%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 50.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nepal, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates were the top contributors to India's lettuce and chicory exports by volume. Nepal accounted for 33.3% of exports, the United States for 28.0%, and the United Arab Emirates for 12.3%. Together, these three countries made up 73.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of lettuce and chicory exports from India was 443.0 thousand US dollars, a slight decline of 2.4% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 454.0 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 301.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Kuwait, and Nepal were the primary markets for India's lettuce and chicory exports by value. The United States represented 51.9% of export value, Kuwait 14.9%, and Nepal 9.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 76.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to India

Imports in kind, t

India's lettuce and chicory imports fell for the second year in a row. In 2019, the country imported a total of value_last_year tonnes, which was 99.7% lower than in 2018. From 2017 to 2019, imports dropped by 99.9%, corresponding to an annualized decline rate of 89.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands and Thailand formed the core of India's lettuce and chicory imports by volume, together representing 100.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

India's lettuce and chicory import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports amounted to 0.0 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp drop of 99.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, imports decreased by 99.9%, with an annualized reduction rate of 90.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the import structure by value was highly concentrated, with the Netherlands and Thailand jointly accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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