Market research

Lettuce and chicory market in South America

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"South America" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh lettuce and chicory market in South America contracted significantly from 2018 to 2023, with total volume falling from 560.2 thousand tonnes to 402.9 thousand tonnes. This represented a 28% reduction over the five-year period, shaped almost entirely by changes in domestic production as trade flows remained minimal.

A steep decline of 10% in 2019 was followed by an even sharper 18% drop in 2020. The market contraction slowed to 3% in 2021, before a 5% recovery in 2022 provided a temporary reversal. However, volume decreased again by 3% in 2023, ending the period well below its starting level.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production lettuce and chicory in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

South America's lettuce and chicory production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 409.0 thousand tonnes, which represents an 18.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.4%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 560.3 thousand tonnes, marking the largest increase of 29.6% that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.6%	(10.3%)	(18.6%)	(1.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's lettuce and chicory production value also dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 738 million US dollars, showing a sharp 25.7% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 26.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 320 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 31.3% occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	31.3%	(24.7%)	(25.7%)	(9.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lettuce and chicory from South America

Exports in kind, t

South America exported 625 tonnes of lettuce and chicory in 2020, representing a 26.1% drop from 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 525 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 846 tonnes. The largest increase of 61.0% was also recorded in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(17.3%)	61.0%	(26.1%)	(0.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

The export structure in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. The United States accounted for 15.3% of exports, Curaçao for 6.6%, and Panama for 1.8%, together making up 23.7% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, South America's lettuce and chicory exports amounted to 1 129 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp 32.5% loss compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 23.6%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 673 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 35.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.2%)	35.1%	(32.5%)	(8.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Curaçao, and Panama were the principal buyers of lettuce and chicory from South America in value terms. The United States accounted for 50.9% of exports, Curaçao for 10.5%, and Panama for 4.4%, jointly representing 65.8% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lettuce and chicory to South America

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of lettuce and chicory into South America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 560 tonnes, marking a substantial 10.4% gain year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 49.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.2%	34.2%	10.4%	14.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States clearly led the country structure of imports in kind, with its share reaching 2.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported lettuce and chicory volumes in South America increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 838 thousand US dollars, showing a 10.1% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 39.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.3%	21.8%	10.1%	11.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, China, and the Netherlands consistently held leading positions in the import structure in value terms. The United States accounted for 9.5% of imports, China for 0.9%, and the Netherlands for 0.7%, together making up 11.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io