Spinach market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The spinach market in Greece opened the period at 86 860 t in 2018, supported by growing demand for frozen green vegetables and stable contracts with supermarket chains. However, volume declined to 73 319 t in 2019 and further to 66 491 t in 2020, with the latter year marked by subdued demand for fresh spinach.

Production rebounded sharply in 2021, pushing market volume up by 44% to 95 882 t. This surge coincided with steady demand from supermarket networks and increased emphasis on organic spinach cultivation.

The market contracted again in 2022, falling to 69 296 t after European alerts over high nitrate levels in fresh spinach affected Greek import controls and consumer confidence. The downturn continued in 2023, with volume dropping to 51 342 t.

Production spinach in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece maintained the 14th position globally in terms of spinach production volume.

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

Greece's spinach production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 66 750 tons of spinach, which represents a 9.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 6.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 87 050 tons, which saw a 6.9% increase from the previous year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 15.5% reduction.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports spinach from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Spinach exports from Greece declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 535 tons, marking a sharp 30.7% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 35.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.5%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 1 049 tons, which represented a 26.8% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece's spinach exports in volume terms were highly concentrated, with Bulgaria and Romania accounting for 93.2% of the total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Greece's spinach export value increased in 2020. Exports totaled 262 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 31.3% gain compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 24.8%, with a CAGR of -9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 199 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 38.6% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria, Romania, and the Netherlands were the leading destinations for Greece's spinach exports in value terms. Bulgaria accounted for 46.8% of exports, Romania for 16.5%, and the Netherlands for 14.4%, together making up 77.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports spinach to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Spinach imports into Greece declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 276 tons, a 47.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 49.7%, with a CAGR of -20.5%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 858 tons, which saw a 56.4% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Bulgaria were the dominant sources for Greece's spinach imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 82.6% of total flows, with other markets making up the rest.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Greece's spinach import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 838 thousand US dollars, down by 2.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 12.9%, with a CAGR of 4.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 042 thousand US dollars, which represented a 40.5% increase from the previous year, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 17.6% drop.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy and Bulgaria clearly dominated the partner structure for Greece's spinach imports in value terms, with other countries collectively forming the remaining share.

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

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