Market research

Lettuce and chicory market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh lettuce and chicory market in Sub-Saharan Africa saw substantial growth, expanding from 381 thousand tons in 2018 to 530 thousand tons in 2020. This rise was propelled by a shift in consumer preferences towards fresh, healthy produce and innovations within the category, which boosted demand. In 2020, detrimental weather conditions affecting key growing regions and a weaker domestic currency supported domestic prices and production, contributing to the market's volume increase.

Following a modest dip to 518 thousand tons in 2021, market volume rebounded strongly to 706 thousand tons in 2022. During this period, market dynamics were shaped by fundamental supply and demand forces and seasonal fluctuations, without significant new regulatory or policy changes impacting the sector.

The market volume surged further to 891 thousand tons in 2023. Persistent strong consumer demand for fresh vegetables was a key driver, compounded by load shedding and fluctuating food prices which reinforced a preference for fresh lettuce over frozen alternatives. Into 2024, price trends for vegetables continued to be influenced by supply and demand interactions, with distribution channels remaining anchored in major fresh produce markets.

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 Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa 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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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 Sub-Saharan Africa

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

Sub-Saharan Africa's lettuce and chicory production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 532.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 19.4% year-on-year rise. Production grew by 37.8% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 11.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 374.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.1%)	19.1%	19.4%	11.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lettuce and chicory from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Lettuce and chicory exports from Sub-Saharan Africa have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes reached 4,781 tonnes, up 7.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 327.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 62.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.0%	251.7%	7.5%	62.3%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of lettuce and chicory exports from Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the third year running. In 2020, exports totaled 7,884 thousand US dollars, showing a solid 15.2% increase over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, export values grew by 199.7%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 44.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	23.1%	111.2%	15.2%	44.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Italy consistently accounted for the largest share of lettuce and chicory export value from Sub-Saharan Africa, representing 1.7% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lettuce and chicory to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 2,515 tonnes, reflecting a strong contraction of 25.0% compared to the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 7,929 tonnes, resulting in a 3.2-fold difference between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 57.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 190.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	190.6%	(57.7%)	(25.0%)	(2.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of lettuce and chicory imports in volume terms was highly diversified. The Netherlands (6.2% of imports), Chile (5.0%), and Ireland (3.5%) together accounted for only 14.7% of total flows, with the remaining 85.3% coming from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in the import market during this period. Import values hit their lowest in 2020 at 4,433 thousand US dollars, down 31.1% from the prior year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 21,395 thousand US dollars, creating a 4.8-fold gap between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 69.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 293.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	293.9%	(69.9%)	(31.1%)	(6.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017–2020 period, lettuce and chicory imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms relied on a wide range of partner countries. The Netherlands (13.6% of imports), France (12.5%), and Morocco (9.7%) together accounted for just 35.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io