Lettuce and chicory market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The US lettuce and chicory market demonstrated consistent growth in physical volume from 2018 to 2023, expanding from 3 607 thousand tons to 4 720 thousand tons. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumption patterns toward home cooking, which maintained steady demand despite restrictions in the foodservice sector, supporting a market volume increase that year.

Growth accelerated notably in 2021, with market volume jumping by 17% to 4 549 thousand tons. This surge was driven by the rising popularity of convenient salad kits and packaged salads, expansion of the organic lettuce segment, and broader health and wellness trends that increased demand for fresh, nutrient-dense greens. Subsequent years saw continued growth underpinned by shifts toward vegan and vegetarian diets, heightened awareness of chicory's health benefits, and the influence of social media on consumer preferences.

In value terms, the market rose steadily until 2022, reaching $8.8 billion, but declined to $8.1 billion in 2023 despite higher physical volume. This drop in market value coincided with a 17% year-on-year surge in average import prices in 2023, reflecting supply constraints and rising input costs that elevated costs throughout the chain.

Production lettuce and chicory in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked second globally in lettuce and chicory production volume.

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

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

Lettuce and chicory production in the United States grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 3,828 thousand tonnes, showing a modest 3.1% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 3,652 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of lettuce and chicory production in the United States rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 6,281 million US dollars, up 5.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 9.7%, translating to an annualized decline of 3.3%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 5,647 million US dollars, with the biggest drop of 18.8% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports lettuce and chicory from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, lettuce and chicory exports from the United States totaled 328.1 thousand tonnes, down 2.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.3%, with an annualized rate of -0.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 337.0 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada accounted for 81.1% of total lettuce and chicory exports by volume, while the remainder was distributed among numerous countries with smaller individual shares.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, lettuce and chicory exports from the United States were valued at 538.4 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 3.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 511.2 million US dollars, with a decline of 1.4% that year, while the highest was in 2019 at 538.5 million US dollars, marking the largest increase of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Canada was the leading destination for lettuce and chicory exports by value, making up 85.4% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail of smaller partners.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports lettuce and chicory to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Lettuce and chicory imports into the United States increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 376.0 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest 3.4% rise from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 36.1%, with an annualized rate of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico and Canada together accounted for the majority of lettuce and chicory imports by volume, jointly representing 99.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Lettuce and chicory imports into the United States rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 424.1 million US dollars, up 9.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 35.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.7%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 303.5 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 2.8%, while the largest increase of 28.1% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Mexico accounted for 84.5% of total lettuce and chicory imports by value, with the remaining flows spread across a broad group of smaller countries.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020