Strawberries market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh strawberries in Western Europe showed considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. Volume started at 400.4 thousand tons in 2018, then surged by 32% to 530.2 thousand tons in 2019. Growth continued at a slower pace to 551.3 thousand tons in 2020, before a 7% drop to 512.7 thousand tons in 2021. The market recovered to 555.8 thousand tons in 2022, but fell sharply by 14% to 478.2 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2024, a wet spring in the UK delayed the strawberry harvest, while vertical farming startups in Europe secured significant funding to expand production. Innovations in breeding and greenhouse technologies, along with growing consumer demand for organic and sustainably grown strawberries, continued to shape the market.

Production strawberries in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Western Europe's strawberry production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 372.8 K t of strawberries, marking a 6.5% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

Exports strawberries from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, strawberry exports from Western Europe have rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 103.0 K t, showing a 5.2% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 25.1%, with an average annual decline of 9.2%. The lowest point was in 2019, at 97.9 K t, which also saw the sharpest drop of 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for strawberries in kind was quite fragmented. The United Kingdom accounted for 13.1% of exports, Norway for 6.8%, and Switzerland for 4.2%. Together, these three countries made up just 24.1% of total exports, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

In 2020, strawberry exports from Western Europe in monetary terms amounted to 606.8 M $ US, reflecting a strong increase of 19.5% over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, at 507.8 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland played significant but not dominant roles as buyers of strawberries from Western Europe in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 16.2% of exports, Norway for 7.9%, and Switzerland for 4.6%. Their combined share reached only 28.8% of total export value.

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 strawberries to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Strawberry imports into Western Europe have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 281.5 K t, which is 1.2% higher than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 5.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018, at 207.9 K t, which saw the largest decline of 22.2%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 33.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Italy, and Greece were the top contributors to strawberry imports in kind. Spain accounted for 62.2% of imports, Italy for 3.5%, and Greece for 2.3%. Together, these three countries made up 68.0% 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, M $ US

Western Europe's strawberry imports in monetary terms have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 887.9 M $ US, representing a 13.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 16.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was in 2018, at 758.0 M $ US, which also recorded the largest decline of 0.5%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Spain, Italy, and Egypt were the main sources for strawberry imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 52.1% of imports, Italy for 3.7%, and Egypt for 3.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 59.1% 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