Vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar in Denmark grew from 24 000 t to 27 101 t. This expansion was supported by a structural concentration of open-field vegetable production into fewer, larger farms, the steady growth of the organic sector with increased acreage for carrots and root vegetables, and rising consumer demand for convenient prepared vegetable products. In 2021, a significant surge in imports of organic fruit and vegetables, driven by challenges in domestic production, further bolstered market supply.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume contracted to 21 471 t in 2022 and fell sharply to 16 442 t in 2023. The decline was primarily driven by a steep drop in imports during 2022 and a substantial increase in exports, which more than doubled to 7 612 t in 2023. Regulatory restrictions on the use of PFAS-containing pesticides introduced in 2023 affected potato and other vegetable cultivation, potentially constraining domestic output. Furthermore, the announced EU trade regulation, set to take effect in 2025, began influencing labeling and packaging practices, adding a layer of adjustment for the market.

For 2024 and 2025, import volumes recovered to over 18 000 t and 20 000 t respectively, while exports normalized to around 3 000 t following the 2023 spike. Underlying market dynamics included the continued rise of organic production, with the organic share of horticultural area reaching 32% in 2024, and growing interest in plant-based foods and pulses, supported by government grants and industry partnerships. The updated EU trade standards, enforced in 2025, introduced new quality and labeling requirements for fruit and vegetables, while restrictions on using acetic acid as a herbicide altered agricultural practices for raw material suppliers.

Production vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar in Denmark

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar, 2018-2021

World map of production of vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar, 2018-2021

Denmark's production of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar rebounded in 2021 after two years of decline. The country produced 9 499 tonnes, marking a 7.0% increase from the previous year. Production had reached its lowest point in 2020 at 8 875 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Denmark's production value of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar rose for the second year in a row in 2021. Output was valued at 23 601 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 15.1% growth compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production increased by 13.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 782 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

Denmark's export volume of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar grew for the second consecutive year in 2021. Exports reached 2 753 tonnes, up 17.6% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 12.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The minimum volume was in 2019 at 2 305 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands were the top buyers of Denmark's vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar by volume. Germany accounted for 26.9% of exports, Sweden for 24.3%, and the Faroe Islands for 15.0%, together making up 66.2% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Denmark's export value of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar increased for the second year in a row in 2021. Exports totaled 6 840 thousand US dollars, representing a 26.4% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 28.9%, with an average annual rate of 8.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 4 945 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, three key markets—Germany, the United States, and the Faroe Islands—collectively accounted for 61.2% of Denmark's total export value for vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

Denmark's import volume of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar rose for the third consecutive year in 2021. Imports amounted to 20 355 tonnes, showing a modest 2.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Sweden, and Turkey remained the primary suppliers of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar to Denmark by volume. Germany contributed 39.9% of imports, Sweden 19.7%, and Turkey 11.6%, together forming 71.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Denmark's import value of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Imports totaled 32 484 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong 16.2% gain compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 25.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 24 102 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Sweden, and Belgium were the main sources of Denmark's imports by value for vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar. Germany accounted for 30.6% of imports, Sweden for 17.7%, and Belgium for 9.9%, together making up 58.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021