MERCOSUR: Lettuce And Chicory Market 2025

Lettuce And Chicory Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR lettuce and chicory market fell slightly to $X in 2022, waning by -1.8% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +1.8% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lettuce And Chicory Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, lettuce and chicory production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +2.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 28%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Colombia (X tons), Chile (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons), together accounting for 77% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Venezuela (with a CAGR of +6.0%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average lettuce and chicory yield was estimated at X tons per ha in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 8.5%. Over the period under review, the lettuce and chicory yield hit record highs at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of lettuce and chicory were harvested in MERCOSUR; standing approx. at the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the lettuce and chicory harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Lettuce And Chicory Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of lettuce and chicory, when their volume increased by 55% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 172%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, lettuce and chicory exports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Argentina dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was near 82% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together comprising a 14% share of total exports. Colombia (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Argentina increased at an average annual rate of +23.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brazil (+79.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +79.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Peru (-13.3%) and Colombia (-18.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Argentina (+69 p.p.) and Brazil (+8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Colombia (-15.7 p.p.) and Peru (-24.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Peru ($X) and Brazil ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 87% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Brazil, with a CAGR of +69.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -31.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 25%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Peru ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+6.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Lettuce And Chicory Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of lettuce and chicory, when their volume decreased by -6.4% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 84% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, lettuce and chicory imports declined modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 41%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Paraguay (X tons) represented the key importer of lettuce and chicory, committing 73% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), making up a 19% share of total imports. Guyana (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Suriname (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

Imports into Paraguay increased at an average annual rate of +15.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brazil (+24.4%) and Guyana (+18.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +24.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Uruguay (-2.4%) and Suriname (-7.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Paraguay (+12 p.p.) and Brazil (+11 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Uruguay and Suriname saw its share reduced by -7.6% and -12.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest lettuce and chicory importing markets in MERCOSUR were Brazil ($X), Paraguay ($X) and Guyana ($X), with a combined 89% share of total imports.

Guyana, with a CAGR of +31.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 6.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Guyana ($X per ton), while Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guyana (+10.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform