Lettuce and chicory market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory in Southern Asia saw a gradual contraction in physical volume from 1 513 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 419 thousand tonnes in 2022, followed by a slight increase to 1 433 thousand tonnes in 2023. In value terms, the decline was sharper, with the market falling from $470 million in 2018 to $259.2 million in 2022 before recovering to $275 million in 2023. Production remained relatively steady, while export volumes grew significantly over the same period.

In 2024, the market environment was influenced by several developments. Regulatory amendments by FSSAI introduced new food safety standards and labeling requirements for fresh and chilled vegetables. Government initiatives aimed at enhancing integrated cold chain infrastructure sought to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted markedly towards fresh, locally sourced, and organic produce, supported by the expansion of modern retail channels and a 100% FDI allowance in food retail.

Production lettuce and chicory in Southern Asia

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 2019, Southern Asia produced 1 582 K t of lettuce and chicory, marking the lowest output in recent years. Production then increased slightly to 1 606 K t in 2020, representing a modest 1.5% growth from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded earlier, in 2018, at 1 637 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when output fell by 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Asia's lettuce and chicory production value has been declining for two consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 387.8 M $ US, showing a moderate 7.4% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 13.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.7%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 503.8 M $ US. The sharpest decline happened in 2019 with a 16.9% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 12.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports lettuce and chicory from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, lettuce and chicory exports from Southern Asia declined in 2020. Exports that year totaled 117.9 K t, reflecting a 10.9% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall increased by 28.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 132.3 K t, and the largest increase took place in 2018 with a 35.8% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Russia were consistently the main destinations for lettuce and chicory exports from Southern Asia in volume terms. The UAE accounted for 33.9% of exports, Iraq for 20.3%, and Russia for 18.9%. Together, these three markets represented 73.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of lettuce and chicory from Southern Asia declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Exports that year amounted to 28 465 K $ US, showing a substantial 18.7% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 13%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 38 313 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 52.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for lettuce and chicory exports from Southern Asia in value terms were the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Russia. The UAE accounted for 27.3% of export value, Iraq for 25.1%, and Russia for 23.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 76.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports lettuce and chicory to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Lettuce and chicory imports into Southern Asia increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1.6 K t. This volume remained nearly unchanged compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.4%, with an average annual increase of 2.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.1 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 25.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 43.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated lettuce and chicory imports into Southern Asia in volume terms. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 9.9% of imports, Thailand for 2.4%, and Australia for 2.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 14.4% of total import volume, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, lettuce and chicory imports into Southern Asia totaled 4 206 K $ US, showing a sharp 22.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 13.4%, with an average annual decrease of 4.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 5 436 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 21.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and Thailand formed the main cluster of markets for lettuce and chicory imports into Southern Asia in value terms. The UAE accounted for 40.8% of import value, Australia for 11.2%, and Thailand for 10.4%. Together, these three countries represented 62.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020