Cabbage Market

The global cabbage and brassicas market is projected to see growth in both volume and value terms over the next eight years, with a forecasted increase in market volume to 81M tons and market value to $64.4B by 2030. China remains the largest consumer and producer of cabbage, while the United States leads in cabbage imports. Average prices, both for imports and exports, show fluctuations over the years, with highest prices seen in countries like Canada and the United States. Overall, the market is expected to see continued growth and development in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for cabbage and other brassicas 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 +1.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 81M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $64.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Cabbage And Other Brassicas

In 2022, the amount of cabbage and other brassicas consumed worldwide reached 73M tons, remaining constant against 2021. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

The global cabbage market revenue reduced modestly to $49.8B in 2022, which is down by -3.7% 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 +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the market value increased by 8.7% against the previous year. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $51.7B, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (34M tons) remains the largest cabbage consuming country worldwide, accounting for 47% of total volume. Moreover, cabbage consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (9.8M tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by South Korea (2.4M tons), with a 3.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+1.6% per year) and South Korea (+0.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($23.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($3.3B). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled +4.9%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: India (+1.4% per year) and Japan (+2.4% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of cabbage per capita consumption in 2022 were South Korea (47 kg per person), Ukraine (36 kg per person) and Kenya (25 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Kenya (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Cabbage And Other Brassicas

For the fourth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in production of cabbage and other brassicas, which increased by 1% to 73M tons in 2022. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 3%. Global production peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a relatively flat trend pattern of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, cabbage production reduced to $52.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $55.3B, and then dropped in the following year.

Production By Country

China (35M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of cabbage production, comprising approx. 48% of total volume. Moreover, cabbage production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (9.8M tons), fourfold. South Korea (2.4M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 3.3% share.

In China, cabbage production increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+1.6% per year) and South Korea (+0.5% per year).

Yield

In 2022, the global average cabbage yield reached 31 tons per ha, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 2.2%. Over the period under review, the average cabbage yield reached the peak level in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of cabbage and other brassicas production worldwide amounted to 2.3M ha, approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 1.1%. The global harvested area peaked at 2.3M ha in 2015; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports

World Imports of Cabbage And Other Brassicas

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of cabbage and other brassicas, when their volume decreased by -11.1% to 2.8M tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 3.1M tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, cabbage imports declined to $2.2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $2.5B in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (524K tons), distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (299K tons), Malaysia (200K tons), Thailand (161K tons), Germany (159K tons) and Canada (132K tons) represented the major importers of cabbage and other brassicas, together comprising 53% of total imports. Russia (110K tons), Kazakhstan (95K tons), El Salvador (81K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (66K tons), the Netherlands (65K tons), Singapore (61K tons) and the UK (54K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Kazakhstan (with a CAGR of +13.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($584M) constitutes the largest market for imported cabbage and other brassicas worldwide, comprising 26% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Canada ($262M), with a 12% share of global imports. It was followed by Hong Kong SAR, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States totaled +11.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Canada (+4.7% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (+0.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average cabbage import price stood at $800 per ton in 2022, picking up by 1.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 8%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 ($1,986 per ton), while El Salvador ($117 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+7.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Cabbage And Other Brassicas

In 2022, global cabbage exports reduced to 2.7M tons, falling by -4.2% on 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% 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 2019 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 2.8M tons in 2021, and then declined modestly in the following year.

In value terms, cabbage exports fell to $1.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated buoyant growth 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. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at $2.2B in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (749K tons), distantly followed by Mexico (361K tons), the Netherlands (211K tons), the United States (166K tons) and Uzbekistan (125K tons) represented the major exporters of cabbage and other brassicas, together comprising 59% of total exports. Spain (103K tons), Iran (97K tons), Poland (88K tons), Canada (81K tons), Germany (78K tons), Italy (75K tons), Guatemala (72K tons) and North Macedonia (60K tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cabbage exports from China stood at +4.3%. At the same time, Uzbekistan (+28.4%), Mexico (+13.1%), Guatemala (+5.5%), Spain (+5.4%), Canada (+5.1%), Iran (+2.1%), North Macedonia (+1.9%), Germany (+1.8%) and Italy (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Uzbekistan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +28.4% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Poland (-3.0%) and the United States (-3.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mexico (+7.6 p.p.) and Uzbekistan (+4.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the Netherlands, Poland and the United States saw its share reduced by -2.8%, -3.1% and -6.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($462M), the United States ($287M) and Mexico ($257M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 53% of global exports. The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Canada, Poland, Germany, Uzbekistan, North Macedonia, Guatemala and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +31.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average cabbage export price stood at $699 per ton in 2022, reducing by -10.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 7.9% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $784 per ton, and then reduced in the following year.

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 the United States ($1,734 per ton), while Iran ($160 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by North Macedonia (+7.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform