Lettuce and chicory market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory in Western Asia grew consistently from 797 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 919 thousand tonnes in 2023, marking a 15% increase over the period. Growth was particularly strong in 2021, when the market reached a peak of 929 thousand tonnes, before a slight dip in 2022 and a marginal recovery the following year.

Domestic production followed a similar upward trend, expanding from 681 thousand tonnes to 763 thousand tonnes between 2018 and 2023. While net import volumes varied, they provided additional supply to the market, especially during the peak consumption years.

Production lettuce and chicory in Western 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

Western Asia's lettuce and chicory production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 744.7 thousand tons, marking a modest 5.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 681.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year of 3.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of lettuce and chicory output in Western Asia was 1 066 million US dollars, down 9.3% from a year earlier. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 25.1%, averaging an annual decline of 9.2%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 1 029 million US dollars, with the steepest drop that year of 27.7%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 14.2%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Western Asia's lettuce and chicory exports have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 17.5 thousand tons, a reduction of 13.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 21.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Belarus, and Afghanistan were notable buyers of lettuce and chicory from Western Asia, accounting for 1.9%, 1.3%, and 1.0% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 4.2% of total exports, with the remaining 95.8% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, lettuce and chicory exports from Western Asia totaled 25.1 million US dollars, a steep decrease of 26.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 39.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Afghanistan, Russia, and Belarus were among the largest buyers of lettuce and chicory from Western Asia in value terms, representing 3.3%, 2.4%, and 1.6% of exports, respectively. Together, they accounted for just 7.4% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Western Asia's lettuce and chicory imports have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 107.0 thousand tons, a robust drop of 17.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 137.1 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 37.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Spain, and Egypt were the core suppliers for lettuce and chicory imports in kind to Western Asia, accounting for 34.5%, 13.0%, and 8.0% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 55.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After rising for two years, lettuce and chicory imports to Western Asia declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 127.7 million US dollars, marking a robust drop of 12.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The peak value was in 2019 at 146.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.6%.

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

Over 2017-2020, imports of lettuce and chicory to Western Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Spain, the Netherlands, and Iran accounted for 20.9%, 13.8%, and 10.3% of imports, respectively, together capturing only 45.0% of total flows.

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

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