Lettuce and chicory market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for fresh lettuce and chicory saw its volume grow slightly to 751 thousand tons in 2019, supported by an increase in domestic production and the adoption of new, more resilient lettuce varieties developed to withstand disease and climate pressures. This period also followed the 2018 implementation of an EU regulation that unified marketing standards for fresh produce, simplifying trade rules.

Market volume then entered a contraction phase, dropping to a low of 640 thousand tons in 2022. During these years, the industry faced evolving frameworks, including EU moves toward banning single-use plastic packaging for fresh produce by 2030. A recovery to 670 thousand tons occurred in 2023, aided by stricter quality controls enacted in national law and a rising consumer demand for organic lettuce.

Production lettuce and chicory in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Italy ranked as the 5th largest producer of lettuce and chicory during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

Lettuce and chicory production in Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy produced 735.5 thousand tonnes of lettuce and chicory, which represents a 3.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 768.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 4.4% also occurring in that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of lettuce and chicory in Italy was valued at 1 477 million US dollars, showing no significant change from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 478 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase of 1.2% occurred in 2018.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Exported volumes of lettuce and chicory from Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 111.9 thousand tonnes, down by 13.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 12.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 134.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 5.4% also occurring in that year.

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

The data for 2017 to 2020 indicate that exports of lettuce and chicory from Italy were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Germany accounted for 31.2% of exports in kind, Austria for 10.8%, and Poland for 8.0%, with these three countries together representing 49.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Lettuce and chicory shipments from Italy to abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy exported 224.6 million US dollars worth of lettuce and chicory, which is 10.5% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 255.3 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 2.2% also occurring in that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands remained the key partners in exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 31.1% of exports, Austria for 10.6%, and the Netherlands for 9.4%, with these three countries together representing 51.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, Italy's lettuce and chicory import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 107.5 thousand tonnes, which is 11.2% lower compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 121.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase of 9.2% occurred in 2018.

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

In 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and France together accounted for 86.4% of total imports in kind of lettuce and chicory to Italy. Spain represented 50.1% of imports, the Netherlands 28.1%, and France 8.2%, remaining the main sources for these products.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of lettuce and chicory imports to Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy imported a total of 118.8 million US dollars worth of lettuce and chicory, constituting a reduction of 6.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 118.8 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 23.4% also occurring in that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and France remained the key partners in imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 42.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 31.2%, and France for 11.7%, with these three countries together representing 85.1% of total flows.

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

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