Italy: Eggplant Market 2025

Eggplant Market Size in Italy

The Italian eggplant market totaled $X in 2022, picking up by 3.4% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Eggplant Production in Italy

In value terms, eggplant production expanded slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 28%. Eggplant production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of eggplants (aubergines) in Italy reached X tons per ha in 2022, flattening at 2021. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 7% against the previous year. The eggplant yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The eggplant harvested area in Italy shrank modestly to X ha in 2022, flattening at 2021. In general, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 3%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to eggplant production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Eggplant Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of eggplants (aubergines), when their volume decreased by -8.2% to X tons. Overall, exports recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 33%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, eggplant exports contracted to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 19%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for eggplant exports from Italy, accounting for a 29% share of total exports. Moreover, eggplant exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Austria (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by France (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany stood at +7.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Austria (-1.3% per year) and France (+1.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for eggplant exported from Italy were Germany ($X), Switzerland ($X) and Austria ($X), with a combined 59% share of total exports. France, Slovenia, Croatia, the UK, Malta, Belgium, Romania, the Netherlands, Hungary and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

Croatia, with a CAGR of +27.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average eggplant export price amounted to $X per ton, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 26% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Greece (+7.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Eggplant Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2022, overseas purchases of eggplants (aubergines) increased by 5.4% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, eggplant imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +55.7% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of eggplant to Italy, with a 79% share of total imports. Moreover, eggplant imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), sixfold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Spain stood at +1.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+22.5% per year) and Germany (+8.8% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of eggplants (aubergines) to Italy, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Spain amounted to +2.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+19.4% per year) and Germany (+10.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average eggplant import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 17% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 22%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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