Lettuce and chicory market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh lettuce and chicory in Northern Africa saw considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. Following a dip in 2019, consumption rebounded in 2020 before contracting again in 2021. The market stabilized in 2022 and then expanded sharply in 2023 to reach 160 thousand tons, its highest volume in the period.

This growth in market volume was supported by a corresponding rise in domestic production, which increased to 181 thousand tons in 2023. While exports varied from year to year, they consistently exceeded the very low levels of imports, making net exports a significant factor influencing domestic availability.

The market's value followed a similar trajectory, culminating in a rise to 253 million USD in 2023. This indicates that the market expansion was accompanied by stronger pricing or a shift towards higher-value products within the category.

Production lettuce and chicory in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

After a two-year decline, lettuce and chicory production in Northern Africa increased. In 2020, production reached 161.2 thousand tonnes, showing only minor fluctuations compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 3.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 160.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year drop occurring in 2018 at 3.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, the value of lettuce and chicory production in Northern Africa rose. In 2020, output was valued at 197.7 million US dollars, marking a 25.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 157.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 12.9%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of lettuce and chicory from Northern Africa stood at 17 026 tonnes, representing a 27.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 20.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 7.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 23 563 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and France were the leading destinations for lettuce and chicory exports from Northern Africa in volume terms. Russia accounted for 25.7% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 24.4%, and France for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented 58.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Northern Africa exported lettuce and chicory worth 20 878 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 9.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 14.8%, with an average annual drop of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 20 707 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 15.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 11.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and France formed the core of lettuce and chicory exports from Northern Africa in value terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 27.3% of export value, Russia for 27.2%, and France for 7.0%. Collectively, these three markets represented 61.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Northern Africa's volume of lettuce and chicory imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 371 tonnes, showing a modest rise of 8.2% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 19.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the primary source for lettuce and chicory imports into Northern Africa in volume terms, accounting for 77.8% of total import flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of lettuce and chicory imports into Northern Africa amounted to 461 thousand US dollars, an 11.7% increase year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 25.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 486 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 32.6%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 15.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain was the main supplier of lettuce and chicory to Northern Africa in value terms, accounting for 74.9% of total imports. Other trading partners held relatively modest shares in the import structure.

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

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