Lettuce And Chicory Market

The global lettuce and chicory market is forecasted to see continued growth in both volume and value over the next eight years. China leads in both consumption and production, while the United States is a major importing country. Lettuce and chicory exports are dominated by fresh or chilled varieties, with Spain and Mexico as major exporting countries. Prices show variation by product type and exporting country, with China experiencing the highest price growth. Overall, the market is expected to see gradual growth in consumption, production, imports, and exports in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for lettuce and chicory worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 30M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $41.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Lettuce And Chicory

In 2022, the amount of lettuce and chicory consumed worldwide expanded slightly to 28M tons, picking up by 4.6% on 2021. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global lettuce and chicory market revenue rose significantly to $33.9B in 2022, picking up by 5.1% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of lettuce and chicory consumption was China (15M tons), comprising approx. 52% of total volume. Moreover, lettuce and chicory consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (3.5M tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Mexico (1.8M tons), with a 6.2% share.

In China, lettuce and chicory consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-1.3% per year) and Mexico (+20.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($14.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($6.1B). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +5.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+1.8% per year) and Japan (+4.0% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of lettuce and chicory per capita consumption was registered in Belgium (51 kg per person), followed by Mexico (13 kg per person), Italy (11 kg per person) and China (10 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of lettuce and chicory was estimated at 3.6 kg per person.

In Belgium, lettuce and chicory per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +27.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mexico (+18.6% per year) and Italy (-0.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Lettuce And Chicory

In 2022, approx. 29M tons of lettuce and chicory were produced worldwide; with an increase of 4.8% compared with the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, production reached the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a mild expansion of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, lettuce and chicory production expanded to $38B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -2.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $38.8B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (15M tons) remains the largest lettuce and chicory producing country worldwide, accounting for 52% of total volume. Moreover, lettuce and chicory production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (3.3M tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Mexico (2.2M tons), with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-2.3% per year) and Mexico (+20.9% per year).

Yield

The global average lettuce and chicory yield rose slightly to 23 tons per ha in 2022, surging by 4% on the previous year. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the yield reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Harvested Area

The global lettuce and chicory harvested area totaled 1.2M ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against 2021. Overall, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 4.2%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to lettuce and chicory production reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports

World Imports of Lettuce And Chicory

Global lettuce and chicory imports declined to 2.2M tons in 2022, dropping by -5.8% on 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 6.5%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 2.4M tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, lettuce and chicory imports amounted to $3.3B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (511K tons), distantly followed by Canada (268K tons), Germany (256K tons), the UK (162K tons), France (125K tons) and Italy (120K tons) represented the largest importers of lettuce and chicory, together generating 64% of total imports. The Netherlands (94K tons), Poland (61K tons), Belgium (39K tons), Sweden (37K tons) and Hong Kong SAR (34K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +12.2%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($656M), Canada ($558M) and Germany ($477M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 51% share of global imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, the United States, with a CAGR of +13.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Fresh or chilled lettuce, other than cabbage lettuce (1.2M tons) and fresh or chilled cabbage lettuce (0.9M tons) dominates imports structure, together creating 93% of total imports. Fresh or chilled chicory, other than witloof chicory (101K tons) and fresh or chilled witloff chicory (51K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for fresh or chilled lettuce, other than cabbage lettuce (with a CAGR of +3.4%), while purchases for the other products experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, fresh or chilled lettuce, other than cabbage lettuce ($2.1B) constitutes the largest type of lettuce and chicory imported worldwide, comprising 62% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by fresh or chilled cabbage lettuce ($1B), with a 31% share of global imports. It was followed by fresh or chilled chicory, other than witloof chicory, with a 4.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of fresh or chilled lettuce, other than cabbage lettuce imports totaled +4.5%. With regard to the other imported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: fresh or chilled cabbage lettuce (+0.6% per year) and fresh or chilled chicory, other than witloof chicory (-1.4% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average lettuce and chicory import price stood at $1,472 per ton in 2022, rising by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was fresh or chilled witloff chicory ($1,773 per ton), while the price for fresh or chilled cabbage lettuce ($1,155 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by fresh or chilled cabbage lettuce (+1.3%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average lettuce and chicory import price amounted to $1,472 per ton, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($2,079 per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($914 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+5.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Lettuce And Chicory

After seven years of growth, overseas shipments of lettuce and chicory decreased by -2.7% to 2.6M tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 16%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 2.6M tons, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, lettuce and chicory exports expanded significantly to $3.5B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 13%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Spain (791K tons), distantly followed by Mexico (506K tons), the United States (337K tons), China (187K tons), the Netherlands (154K tons) and Italy (118K tons) represented the major exporters of lettuce and chicory, together mixing up 81% of total exports. The following exporters - Iran (71K tons) and Germany (53K tons) - together made up 4.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Iran (with a CAGR of +25.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($981M), the United States ($664M) and Mexico ($535M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 62% share of global exports.

Mexico, with a CAGR of +21.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Fresh or chilled lettuce, other than cabbage lettuce (1.4M tons) and fresh or chilled cabbage lettuce (1M tons) dominates exports structure, together constituting 92% of total exports. It was distantly followed by fresh or chilled chicory, other than witloof chicory (146K tons), creating a 5.7% share of total exports. Fresh or chilled witloff chicory (63K tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for fresh or chilled lettuce, other than cabbage lettuce (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of exported lettuce and chicory were fresh or chilled lettuce, other than cabbage lettuce ($2.1B), fresh or chilled cabbage lettuce ($1.1B) and fresh or chilled chicory, other than witloof chicory ($201M), with a combined 97% share of global exports.

Fresh or chilled lettuce, other than cabbage lettuce, with a CAGR of +6.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average lettuce and chicory export price stood at $1,377 per ton in 2022, picking up by 9.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was fresh or chilled witloff chicory ($1,695 per ton), while the average price for exports of fresh or chilled cabbage lettuce ($1,118 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by fresh or chilled witloff chicory (+1.6%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average lettuce and chicory export price stood at $1,377 per ton in 2022, picking up by 9.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($2,036 per ton), while Iran ($217 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+14.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform