Lettuce and chicory market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh lettuce and chicory in Lithuania began the period with a volume of 7 849 t in 2018, characterized by reliance on imports to meet diverse consumer demand, as domestic production alone could not satisfy the variety sought by buyers. By 2020, the market had stabilized around 7 400 t, a trend supported by a shift in consumer preferences toward frozen fresh produce, which tempered growth in the fresh segment.

Market volume expanded by 16% to 8 589 t in 2021, driven by the retail sector's adaptation to changing habits, including investments in convenience, digital solutions, and logistics that made products more accessible. This growth reversed in 2022 when volume fell to 7 595 t, pressured by macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and volatile raw material costs that increased production expenses and affected prices.

In 2023, the market stabilized at 7 509 t. Import and export flows continued to fluctuate through 2024-2025, with imports around 6 800 t and exports near 1 500 t, reflecting the ongoing role of international trade in balancing domestic supply and demand.

Production lettuce and chicory in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2018-2021

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2018-2021

Lithuania's lettuce and chicory production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 2 640 tonnes, but then rebounded with a 4.2% increase in 2020. Production continued to rise in 2021, reaching 2 820 tonnes, which represents a further 2.5% gain compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports lettuce and chicory from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Lithuania's exports of lettuce and chicory have declined for three consecutive years. Between 2018 and 2021, shipments abroad dropped by 73.3%, translating to an average annual decrease of 35.6%. In 2021, exports totaled 3 081 tonnes, marking a sharp 10.9% fall from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus remained the leading destination for Lithuania's lettuce and chicory exports in volume terms, accounting for 81.4% of total shipments. Other markets collectively made up the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of Lithuania's lettuce and chicory exports rebounded in 2021. The lowest point was in 2020, at 3 862 thousand US dollars, which saw a 27.0% drop. However, exports rose to 4 790 thousand US dollars in 2021, a 24.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 20.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus and Latvia were the dominant markets for Lithuania's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms, together representing 81.9% of total flows. Other countries accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports lettuce and chicory to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decrease, Lithuania's imports of lettuce and chicory increased in 2021. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 8 139 tonnes, after a significant 35.9% decline in 2019. In 2021, imports rose to 8 850 tonnes, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, import volume fell by 46.6%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 18.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain were the top suppliers of lettuce and chicory to Lithuania in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 30.5% of imports, Poland for 21.0%, and Spain for 19.5%, together making up 70.9% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of Lithuania's lettuce and chicory imports rose in 2021. The lowest point was in 2020 at 10 303 thousand US dollars, which experienced a 14.6% drop. In 2021, imports increased to 13 668 thousand US dollars, a 32.7% jump from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 2.8%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, Italy, and the Netherlands were the main suppliers of lettuce and chicory to Lithuania in value terms. Poland contributed 21.5% of import value, Italy 20.2%, and the Netherlands 19.7%, collectively accounting for 61.4% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021