Spinach market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The Western European fresh spinach market volume showed notable volatility from 2018 to 2021. It increased from 383 thousand tons in 2018 to 406 thousand tons in 2019, then dipped to 381 thousand tons in 2020 before jumping sharply to 468 thousand tons in 2021.

The market reversed course in 2022, declining to 415 thousand tons. This drop was influenced by harvest losses in Belgium, where spinach crops for the processing industry faced regulatory constraints due to cadmium contamination in soils. The contraction accelerated in 2023, with volume falling to 299 thousand tons. During this period, the cold chain logistics sector, critical for fresh spinach distribution, experienced growth but was hampered by environmental concerns over refrigeration emissions. Looking ahead to 2024, unfavorable climatic conditions in Europe, including heavy rainfall and cold weather, delayed spinach harvests, potentially constraining supply. Furthermore, new European regulations on refrigerant gases (F-Gas 2024) began affecting refrigeration equipment in retail outlets, driving a shift toward more sustainable technologies. The market also saw evolving consumer preferences towards fresh and convenient products, spurring demand for innovative processed items like fresh pasta with spinach, which opened new segments for growth.

Production spinach in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

Spinach production in Western Europe declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 387.6 K t, marking a 4.7% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output fell to 366.0 K t, representing a 5.6% decrease compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of expansion, spinach production in Western Europe experienced a decline. In 2019, production value peaked at 1 243 M $ US, reflecting a substantial 21.2% rise from the prior year. By 2020, the value dropped to 1 158 M $ US, a moderate 6.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%.

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

Exports spinach from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, spinach export volumes from Western Europe rebounded. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 14 793 t, a 4.6% drop from the previous year. By 2020, exports rose to 16 247 t, a 9.8% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for spinach in kind was highly diversified. The United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Spain together accounted for only 6.6% of total exports, with shares of 3.1%, 1.8%, and 1.7%, respectively. The remaining 93.4% was distributed among a wide range of other partner 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, K $ US

Spinach exports from Western Europe in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 51 382 K $ US, an 8.3% uptick from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 22.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of spinach exports in value terms was notably diverse. The United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland together represented just 17.9% of total exports, with shares of 7.2%, 6.4%, and 4.4%, respectively. The remaining 82.1% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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 spinach to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

Spinach import volumes in Western Europe saw a modest decrease in 2020, totaling 31 375 t, which was 5.9% lower than the previous year. In 2018, imports reached their minimum at 28 081 t, a 9.1% decline from the prior year. By 2019, imports peaked at 33 354 t, an 18.8% increase from 2018.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Italy and Spain were the primary destinations for spinach imports in kind to Western Europe, together accounting for 31.8% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

Spinach imports in value terms to Western Europe rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 96 563 K $ US, a 6.7% increase from the previous year. In 2018, imports were at their lowest point, totaling 85 200 K $ US, a 4.0% decrease from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Spain consistently dominated the import market for spinach in value terms to Western Europe, representing 68.9% of total import 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