Lettuce and chicory market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory in Northern Europe contracted from 540 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 409 thousand tonnes in 2023. A temporary rebound to 542 thousand tonnes occurred in 2020, followed by a sharp 18% decline in 2022 to 412 thousand tonnes. The market volume then stabilized in 2023 with a negligible decrease to 409 thousand tonnes.

This overall reduction was supported by a fall in domestic production from 212 thousand tonnes to 181 thousand tonnes over the six-year period. Imports, a major component of supply, fell significantly by 31% from 371 thousand tonnes to 255 thousand tonnes, while exports decreased from 44 thousand tonnes to 27 thousand tonnes, moderating the net decline in available volume.

In 2024, import volumes held steady while exports dropped by more than half, suggesting stronger domestic absorption. This development corresponds with a shift in consumer preferences towards bold flavor combinations, health-conscious consumption, and increased demand for organic and locally produced fresh salads, which have begun influencing product offerings and retail strategies in the region.

Production lettuce and chicory in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Northern Europe produced 210.5 thousand tonnes of lettuce and chicory, marking a slight 2.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 3%, with an annualized rate of 1.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Europe's lettuce and chicory production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 340.1 million US dollars, showing a modest 1.2% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 5.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 290.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.0%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 15.6%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Lettuce and chicory exports from Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 32.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a notable 14.2% reduction year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.8%, with an annualized rate of 1.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 43.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 27.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Belarus accounted for 28.5% of exports, Italy for 5.6%, and Spain for 3.0%, together making up only 37.1% of total flows. The remaining 62.9% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported lettuce and chicory volumes from Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 52.7 million US dollars, which is 10.8% lower compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.9%, with an annualized rate of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 60.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.9%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Belarus accounted for 5.8% of exports, Norway for 3.7%, and Germany for 2.5%, jointly representing only 12.0% of total flows. The remaining 88.0% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Europe imported approximately 364.6 thousand tonnes of lettuce and chicory in 2020, indicating a limited gain of 6.3% compared with 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.8%, with an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 343.0 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 7.7%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 371.4 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the main market for imports in kind, with a share of 71.0% of total flows. The rest of the volume was fragmented across numerous other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Lettuce and chicory import volumes in Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 398.7 million US dollars, down by 6.6% over the past year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.7%, with an annualized rate of 3.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 462.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands continued to be the main suppliers of lettuce and chicory to Northern Europe. Spain accounted for 53.0% of imports in value terms, Italy for 12.4%, and the Netherlands for 9.1%, jointly forming 74.5% 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 Europe in value, 2017-2020