Italians Consume the Most Artichokes in the World, Together with France Being the Largest Importing Markets

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World - Artichokes - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

After two years of growth, the global artichoke market decreased by -8.1% to $2.2B in 2019. Global consumption peaked at $2.6B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of artichoke consumption in 2019 were Italy (388K tonnes), Egypt (333K tonnes) and Spain (194K tonnes), together comprising 53% of global consumption. These countries were followed by Peru, Algeria, Argentina and China, which together accounted for a further 30%.

From 2013 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Algeria, while artichoke consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest artichoke markets worldwide were Italy ($405M), Egypt ($366M) and Spain ($275M), together comprising 47% of the global market. Peru, Algeria, Argentina and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

The countries with the highest levels of artichoke per capita consumption in 2019 were Italy (6.51 kg per person), Peru (4.75 kg per person) and Spain (4.14 kg per person).

Production

In 2019, the production of artichokes increased by 2.2% to 1.7M tonnes, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2013 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by slight growth of the harvested area and a modest expansion in yield figures.

Production by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of artichoke production in 2019 were Italy (383K tonnes), Egypt (343K tonnes) and Spain (207K tonnes), with a combined 54% share of global production. These countries were followed by Peru, Algeria, Argentina, China, France and the U.S., which together accounted for a further 35%.

From 2013 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of artichoke production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Algeria, while artichoke production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area and Yield

The global artichoke harvested area stood at 128K ha in 2019, almost unchanged from the year before. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. 

The global average artichoke yield expanded slightly to 13 tonnes per ha in 2019, picking up by 1.7% compared with 2018 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. 

Imports

In 2019, global imports of artichokes surged to 53K tonnes. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global imports peaked at 55K tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, artichoke imports reached $72M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. Overall, imports, however, saw a perceptible decline. Global imports peaked at $83M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Italy (16K tonnes) and France (15K tonnes) represented roughly 59% of total imports of artichokes in 2019. Turkey (5.6K tonnes) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 11% share, followed by Germany (5.6%). The following importers - the U.S. (2.2K tonnes), Belgium (2K tonnes), Switzerland (1.3K tonnes), Canada (1.3K tonnes), the Netherlands (1K tonnes) and Lebanon (0.9K tonnes) - together made up 17% of total imports.

From 2013 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Italy, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest artichoke importing markets worldwide were France ($23M), Italy ($19M) and Belgium ($5.4M), together comprising 66% of global imports.

Import Prices by Country

The average artichoke import price stood at $1,374 per tonne in 2019, approximately reflecting the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 7% year-to-year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $1,507 per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($3,076 per tonne), while Turkey ($117 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform