Lettuce and chicory market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh lettuce and chicory in Western Europe declined from 2 076 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 861 thousand tonnes in 2020, with market value falling from 4 269 million US dollars to 3 360 million US dollars over the same period.

Market volume recovered to 2 016 thousand tonnes in 2021 but dipped again in 2022 to 1 930 thousand tonnes. During this period, the self-sufficiency rate for iceberg and head lettuce improved to 73%, reflecting a gradual shift in supply structure. Consumer preferences also began evolving, with increasing interest in varieties like curly lettuce as a more aromatic alternative to traditional types.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2023, with market volume dropping to 1 675 thousand tonnes and value to 3 369 million US dollars. This was primarily driven by a significant rise in consumer prices for head and iceberg lettuce, with the consumer price index increasing by 31.8% between 2020 and late 2024. Concurrently, market trends such as growing demand for sustainable packaging and online distribution channels started influencing the salad sector.

Production lettuce and chicory in Western 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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, production volumes reached their lowest point, while 2018 saw the highest level, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Europe produced 1 668 K t of lettuce and chicory, showing minimal change from 2019. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 1 860 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 10.5%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 118.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production values hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, the output of lettuce and chicory in Western Europe was valued at 2 937 M $ US, marking a 14.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 882 M $ US, with the largest increase that year of 146.7%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, exported volumes of lettuce and chicory from Western Europe increased in 2020. The region exported 277.3 K t that year, up 12.1% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 8.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 247.3 K t, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 3.4%.

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

The export market in kind from 2017 to 2020 was broadly diversified. Italy accounted for 17.1% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 4.2%, and Spain for 3.7%, together making up just 24.9% of total flows. The remaining 75.1% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Lettuce and chicory exports from Western Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 488.3 M $ US, down 4.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 517.0 M $ US, with the largest increase that year of 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland were the largest buyers of lettuce and chicory from Western Europe in value terms, contributing 12.4%, 4.7%, and 4.4% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 21.5% of total exports, reflecting a highly diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports lettuce and chicory to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe imported approximately 470.6 K t of lettuce and chicory in 2020, a 13.4% decrease year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 464.1 K t, with the largest decline that year of 19.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, rising by 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Italy were the key suppliers of lettuce and chicory to Western Europe, together accounting for 70.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Western Europe's lettuce and chicory imports increased in 2020. The region imported 910.6 M $ US that year, up 2.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 889.0 M $ US, with the largest decline in 2018 at 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Italy remained the largest sources for imports in value terms of lettuce and chicory to Western Europe, jointly representing 66.5% of total flows.

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

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