Lettuce and chicory market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the lettuce and chicory market volume grew steadily from 3 716 thousand tons to 3 875 thousand tons. Improved yield in 2019 enhanced production efficiency, while rising demand for healthy and plant-based foods, fueled by veganism and social media influence, supported consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions, but the market continued to expand due to a consumer shift toward organic lettuce and convenient formats.

In 2021, the market surged by 16.8% to 4 527 thousand tons. This jump was largely driven by the growing popularity of salad kits and packaged salads, which became staples for convenience-oriented consumers. Steady growth continued in the following years, reaching 4 732 thousand tons in 2023, supported by supply innovations such as the launch of new greenhouse lettuce lines by major producers like Mastronardi Produce, which expanded product availability and marketing.

In value terms, the market rose from 5.9 billion USD in 2018 to 9.5 billion USD in 2023. The increase in market value was partly due to a significant rise in import prices, which grew by 61.5% from 2018 to 2024, reflecting higher transportation costs and currency exchange rates. Consumer awareness of chicory's health benefits and its use as a cheaper coffee substitute also provided momentum, particularly in the chicory segment.

Production lettuce and chicory in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

Northern America's lettuce and chicory production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 3 894 thousand tons of lettuce and chicory, marking a slight gain of 2.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 15.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 738 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 18.6% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Lettuce and chicory production in Northern America has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 889 million US dollars, representing a 4.7% increase over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 14.9%, averaging an annual decline of 5.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 513 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 20.3% also occurring in that year.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, lettuce and chicory export volumes from Northern America declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 32.7 thousand tons, which is 9.7% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 4.1%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 36.3 thousand tons, and the largest increase of 14.1% was also recorded that year.

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

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year advance, Northern America's lettuce and chicory export value declined in 2020. Exports stood at 49.5 million US dollars, reflecting a year-over-year contraction of 7.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 13.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 53.7 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 14.5% also occurring in that year.

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

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. From 2017 to 2018, there was a dramatic swing with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 38 times. In 2020, lettuce and chicory deliveries to Northern America reached 13.7 thousand tons, reflecting a modest decline of 6.9% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 10.0 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 97.4% occurring that year. The largest increase of 48.0% was recorded in 2019.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Mexico was the main partner for imports in kind, accounting for 3.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern America imported lettuce and chicory valued at 425.7 million US dollars, down by 2.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 425.7 million US dollars, while the maximum value was reached in 2019 at 447.8 million US dollars. The largest increase of 5.2% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico remained the main supplier of lettuce and chicory to Northern America, representing 2.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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