Lettuce and chicory market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The lettuce and chicory market in Middle Africa began the period at 16 043 tons in 2018 but saw a gradual contraction over the next two years, falling to 15 469 tons by 2020. This decline reflected a similar drop in domestic production, which fell from 15 974 tons to 15 417 tons over the same span.

A partial recovery emerged in 2021, lifting the market volume to 15 759 tons and production to 15 729 tons. The market then entered a phase of relative stability, with volume settling around 15 650 tons in 2022 and 2023. Throughout the entire period, import and export volumes remained minimal, confirming that the market is overwhelmingly supplied by local production.

Production lettuce and chicory in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

Lettuce and chicory production in Middle Africa has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 15 417 tonnes, marking a 2.2% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports lettuce and chicory from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.8 tonnes, while the highest occurred in 2020 with 6.5 tonnes, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 8.4 times. In 2020, lettuce and chicory shipments from Middle Africa to abroad totaled 6.5 tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 74.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 26.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 381.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Spain, and the Bahamas stood out as the main markets for exports in kind. The United States accounted for 31.8% of exports, Spain for 19.0%, and the Bahamas for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 58.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export volumes in value terms hit a low in 2018 at 1.5 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 4 times. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 4.4 thousand US dollars of lettuce and chicory, marking a notable loss of 14.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 75.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 246.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Bahamas, Spain, and Namibia remained the principal buyers of lettuce and chicory from Middle Africa in value terms. The Bahamas accounted for 22.7% of exports, Spain for 21.3%, and Namibia for 10.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented 54.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, lettuce and chicory imports into Middle Africa increased. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 54.7 tonnes, while in 2020, it reached 58.5 tonnes, constituting an improvement of 6.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 49.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.4%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 39.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, France, and Portugal consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind. South Africa accounted for 35.0% of imports, France for 18.5%, and Portugal for 8.7%. Together, these three countries made up 62.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of lettuce and chicory imports into Middle Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Middle Africa imported 172.7 thousand US dollars of lettuce and chicory, showing a significant decrease of 16.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 60.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -26.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, South Africa, and Portugal formed the main cluster of markets for imports in value terms. France accounted for 37.3% of imports, South Africa for 28.0%, and Portugal for 17.0%. Combined, these three countries represented 82.2% of total import flows.

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

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