Lettuce and chicory market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The lettuce and chicory market in Southern Europe grew to 1.15 million tons in 2019, supported by stable demand for colorful Italian varieties favored by large consumers. While the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted demand for fresh produce and helped sustain market volume at 1.15 million tons, production in Portugal increased significantly in 2021, contributing to the region's output peak of nearly 2.0 million tons that year.

Despite the introduction of new disease-resistant lettuce varieties and the expansion of hydroponic and urban vertical farming techniques from 2022 onward, the overall market volume contracted, falling to 962 thousand tons in 2023. The hydroponics segment for leafy vegetables, including lettuce, continued to grow during this period, driven by greater awareness of fresh vegetable consumption and the adoption of sustainable practices like drip irrigation in organic farming. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted toward fresh, organic products with clean labeling, supporting the supply of functional lettuce varieties, yet the total market size declined.

Production lettuce and chicory in Southern 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 Southern Europe, lettuce and chicory production reached 1 937 K t in 2019, marking the highest level in recent years with a 3.2% increase. However, output declined to 1 896 K t in 2020, representing a 2.1% drop from the previous year. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 1 876 K t.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's lettuce and chicory production value showed a mixed trend. After rising for two years, it reached a peak of 2 426 M $ US in 2019, with the largest annual increase of 5.2% occurring in 2018. In 2020, the value remained stable at 2 417 M $ US, showing little change from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 9.9%, averaging 3.2% per year.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of lettuce and chicory from Southern Europe have been declining for two consecutive years. The volume peaked in 2018 at 944 K t, with a modest 1.1% increase that year. By 2020, exports fell to 868 K t, down 5.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, total exports decreased by 7.1%, equivalent to an annual decline of 2.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were the primary destinations for lettuce and chicory exports from Southern Europe. Germany accounted for 24.6% of exports in volume, France for 16.9%, and the United Kingdom for 13.7%. Together, these three countries represented 55.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of lettuce and chicory exports from Southern Europe continued to decline for the second year in a row. In 2018, export value reached its highest point at 1 165 M $ US, with a 6.9% increase that year. By 2020, the value dropped to 1 107 M $ US, a 3.9% decrease from 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom formed the core markets for Southern Europe's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms. Germany held a 25.3% share, France 16.2%, and the United Kingdom 13.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 54.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After increasing for two years, Southern Europe's lettuce and chicory import volume declined in 2020. Imports peaked in 2019 at 133 K t, following a 10.9% rise in 2018. In 2020, imports fell to 120 K t, down 9.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.4%, averaging 1.1% annually.

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

From 2017 to 2020, lettuce and chicory imports to Southern Europe were distributed across numerous countries. The Netherlands was the largest source with 22.8% of imports in volume, followed by France at 9.2% and Germany at 6.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 38.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's lettuce and chicory import value declined for the second consecutive year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 205 M $ US, with a 15.9% increase that year. In 2020, imports dropped to 179 M $ US, an 8.1% decrease from 2019.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the import market for lettuce and chicory in Southern Europe was diverse. The Netherlands contributed 22.9% of import value, France 14.5%, and Germany 7.2%. These three countries together represented 44.6% of total flows, while the remaining 55.4% came from various other countries.

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

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