UK Vegetable Prices See Notable Increase, Reaching $1,681 per Ton

United Kingdom Vegetable Import Price in December 2022

In December 2022, the vegetable price stood at $1,681 per ton (CIF, United Kingdom), picking up by 5.2% against the previous month. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in January 2022 an increase of 9.7% m-o-m. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $1,807 per ton in February 2022; however, from March 2022 to December 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In December 2022, the country with the highest price was Italy ($2,741 per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($1,002 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From December 2021 to December 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+2.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

United Kingdom Vegetable Import Prices by Type

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplied products. In December 2022, the product with the highest price was asparagus ($6,007 per ton), while the price for potatoes ($701 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From December 2021 to December 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by leek (+4.3%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

United Kingdom Vegetable Imports

In December 2022, supplies from abroad of vegetables increased by 9% to 192K tons, rising for the third month in a row after six months of decline. In general, total imports indicated a slight increase from December 2021 to December 2022: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +1.4% over the last twelve-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on December 2022 figures, imports increased by +57.4% against September 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in January 2022 when imports increased by 33% against the previous month. Imports peaked at 219K tons in March 2022; however, from April 2022 to December 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, vegetable imports rose significantly to $323M (IndexBox estimates) in December 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a modest expansion from December 2021 to December 2022: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +1.6% over the last twelve months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on December 2022 figures, imports increased by +71.0% against September 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in January 2022 when imports increased by 46% month-to-month. As a result, imports attained the peak of $391M. From February 2022 to December 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

United Kingdom Vegetable Imports by Type

Onions and shallots (33K tons), tomatoes (32K tons) and cauliflower and broccoli (21K tons) were the main products of vegetable imports to the UK, together comprising 44% of total imports. Chilies and peppers (green), fresh vegetables, nes, lettuce and chicory, cucumbers and gherkins, mushrooms and truffles, potatoes, cabbage and other brassicas, spinach, green beans, garlic, peas (green), eggplants (aubergine), carrots and turnips, asparagus, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables and leguminous vegetables, nes lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 56%.

From December 2021 to December 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by green peas (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the most traded types of vegetables in the UK were tomatoes ($61M), cauliflower and broccoli ($39M) and chilies and peppers (green) ($38M), together comprising 42% of total imports. These products were followed by fresh vegetables, nes, lettuce and chicory, onions and shallots, cucumbers and gherkins, mushrooms and truffles, spinach, green beans, garlic, cabbage and other brassicas, eggplants (aubergine), asparagus, peas (green), potatoes, carrots and turnips, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables and leguminous vegetables, nes, which together accounted for a further 58%.

United Kingdom Vegetable Imports by Country

In December 2022, Spain (102K tons) constituted the largest vegetable supplier to the UK, with a 53% share of total imports. Moreover, vegetable imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Morocco (24K tons), fourfold. the Netherlands (23K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From December 2021 to December 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from Spain amounted to +3.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Morocco (+1.8% per month) and the Netherlands (-0.4% per month).

In value terms, Spain ($179M) constituted the largest supplier of vegetable to the UK, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Morocco ($33M), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 7.3% share.

From December 2021 to December 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value from Spain totaled +4.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Morocco (+1.7% per month) and the Netherlands (-3.7% per month).

Rising Vegetable Prices in UK Attributed to Seasonal Labor Shortage, Brexit, and Increased Demand

Firstly, the recent shortage of seasonal laborers in the UK has slowed down the production process of vegetables, thus leading to a fall in supply. As a result, the price of some vegetables has increased by up to 40%.

Moreover, Brexit has had a significant impact on the rise of prices. The UK's decision to leave the EU has caused a reduction in the value of the pound, making it more expensive to import vegetables. Since the UK is heavily reliant on imports for fresh fruits and vegetables, this has led to a significant increase in the cost of produce.

Since the pandemic outbreak, the demand for fresh produce has increased significantly, in addition to the rising cost of shipping and transportation concerns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform