Spinach market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the fresh spinach market in Southern Asia experienced a period of stability followed by a sharp contraction. Production in 2018 was sustained by farmers' focus on high-quality seeds and improved management practices. The following year, a slight market growth was supported by the government's increase in the minimum support price (MSP), which raised farmer profitability, alongside growing consumer preference for fresh and healthy foods. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe supply chain disruptions, leading to a 15% drop in market volume despite heightened health awareness.

From 2021 to 2023, the market recovered and expanded. The introduction of stricter FSSAI labeling and packaging rules in 2021, which mandated production dates and temperature control for fresh spinach, helped restore confidence and improve standards, aiding the rebound. Continued regulatory tightening in 2022, including bans on misleading packaging terms, combined with increased adoption of modern technology in production and distribution, supported steady growth. In 2023, a further 6.5% increase in market volume was driven by another hike in the MSP, encouraging higher output even as extreme weather events posed supply challenges.

Production spinach in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

In 2019, spinach production in Southern Asia reached its highest point with a 1.3% increase. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 228.8 thousand tons, marking a 15.0% decline compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 15.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.3%.

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

Exports spinach from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. In 2019, exports peaked at 136.8 tons, representing a substantial 186.2% increase. However, by 2020, exports had dropped sharply to 22.6 tons, which is 83.5% lower than in 2019. The difference between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2020 was 6.1-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq dominated the export structure in kind, accounting for 70.5% of total flows, while numerous smaller partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export volumes in value terms peaked in 2018 at 116.1 thousand US dollars, with a notable 226.0% increase that year. By 2020, exports had declined to 26.0 thousand US dollars, a steep reduction of 75.7% compared to the previous year. The top-to-bottom ratio between 2018 and 2020 was 4.5 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for exports in value terms were Iraq with 31.9%, Canada with 15.1%, and Belarus with 10.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 57.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports spinach to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

After declining for two years, Southern Asia's spinach imports increased in 2020. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 72.1 tons, following a 17.6% decline in 2018. By 2020, imports had risen to 90.2 tons, which is 25.1% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, and Australia—collectively accounted for 60.5% of total spinach imports in kind to Southern Asia.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, spinach imports to Southern Asia declined in 2020. In 2019, imports reached their maximum value of 465.9 thousand US dollars, with a 5.6% increase that year. By 2020, imports had fallen to an unspecified value, down by 18.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates with 48.3%, Australia with 24.3%, and Thailand with 4.2% remained the primary markets for spinach imports in value terms to Southern Asia, jointly representing 76.9% of total flows.

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

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