10 Countries That Export the Most Vegetables in the World

Vegetables are essential for a healthy and balanced diet, as they provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. But which countries are the top exporters of vegetables in the world? Here is a list of the 10 countries that exported the most vegetables in 2020, according to the World Bank data.

1. China

China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of vegetables, with a total export value of $112.4 billion in 2020. China grows a wide variety of vegetables, such as cabbage, garlic, onion, carrot, tomato, cucumber, eggplant, pepper, and mushroom. China’s main export markets are Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

2. United States

The United States is the second-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $68.3 billion in 2020. The United States produces mainly lettuce, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, cauliflower, and broccoli. The United States’ main export markets are Canada, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

3. Germany

Germany is the third-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $48.4 billion in 2020. Germany grows mainly carrots, onions, cabbage, asparagus, cucumber, and tomato. Germany’s main export markets are the Netherlands, France, Italy, Poland, and Belgium.

4. Netherlands

The Netherlands is the fourth-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $37 billion in 2020. The Netherlands is known for its greenhouse production of vegetables, such as tomato, cucumber, pepper, lettuce, and mushroom. The Netherlands’ main export markets are Germany, France, United Kingdom, Belgium, and Sweden.

5. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is the fifth-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $32.6 billion in 2020. The United Kingdom produces mainly potatoes, carrots, onions, peas, beans, and cauliflower. The United Kingdom’s main export markets are Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, and Belgium.

6. Japan

Japan is the sixth-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $23.6 billion in 2020. Japan grows mainly radish, cabbage, onion, carrot, spinach, and mushroom. Japan’s main export markets are China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore.

7. India

India is the seventh-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $22.7 billion in 2020. India produces mainly onion, garlic, potato, tomato, okra, and eggplant. India’s main export markets are Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Nepal.

8. France

France is the eighth-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $22.7 billion in 2020. France grows mainly carrot, onion, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and mushroom. France’s main export markets are Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and United Kingdom.

9. Italy

Italy is the ninth-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $21.6 billion in 2020. Italy produces mainly tomato, onion, carrot, lettuce, artichoke, and zucchini. Italy’s main export markets are Germany, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Austria.

10. Spain

Spain is the tenth-largest exporter of vegetables in the world, with a total export value of $20.4 billion in 2020. Spain grows mainly tomato, pepper, cucumber, lettuce, onion, and garlic. Spain’s main export markets are Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Portugal.

Top 10 Vegetable Exporting Countries in 2021

According to the World Bank, the top 10 vegetable exporting countries in 2021 were China, United States, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Japan, India, France, Italy and Spain. These countries accounted for 32.6% of the total vegetable exports in the world, valued at $241.7 billion.

China was the largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 4.65% and a value of $112.4 billion. China mainly exported fresh or chilled garlic, onions, shallots, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables; dried leguminous vegetables; and fresh or chilled cabbages, cauliflowers, kohlrabi, kale and similar edible brassicas.

The United States was the second-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 2.08% and a value of $68.3 billion. The United States mainly exported fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory; fresh or chilled potatoes; and frozen potatoes.

Germany was the third-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 3.58% and a value of $48.4 billion. Germany mainly exported fresh or chilled tomatoes; fresh or chilled carrots and turnips; and frozen vegetables.

Netherlands was the fourth-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 5.28% and a value of $37 billion. Netherlands mainly exported fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins; fresh or chilled peppers; and fresh or chilled mushrooms and truffles.

United Kingdom was the fifth-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 3.23% and a value of $32.6 billion. United Kingdom mainly exported frozen vegetables; preserved vegetables; and dried vegetables.

Japan was the sixth-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 3.35% and a value of $23.6 billion. Japan mainly exported fresh or chilled mushrooms and truffles; preserved mushrooms; and dried mushrooms.

India was the seventh-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 4.53% and a value of $22.7 billion. India mainly exported dried leguminous vegetables; fresh or chilled onions, shallots, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables; and fresh or chilled okra.

France was the eighth-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 3.32% and a value of $22.7 billion. France mainly exported frozen vegetables; preserved vegetables; and fresh or chilled tomatoes.

Italy was the ninth-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 4% and a value of $21.6 billion. Italy mainly exported fresh or chilled tomatoes; preserved tomatoes; and dried tomatoes.

Spain was the tenth-largest vegetable exporter, with a market share of 5.34% and a value of $20.4 billion. Spain mainly exported fresh or chilled peppers; fresh or chilled cucumbers and gherkins; and fresh or chilled lettuce and chicory.

Global Demand for Vegetables in 2021

The global demand for vegetables in 2021 was influenced by various factors such as population growth, income levels, dietary preferences, health awareness, climate change, trade policies, food safety standards and COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global production of vegetables in 2021 was estimated at 1.2 billion tonnes, an increase of 2% from 2020. The main drivers of this growth were higher yields in Asia, Africa and Europe due to favorable weather conditions and improved technologies.

The global consumption of vegetables in 2021 was estimated at 1.1 billion tonnes, an increase of 1.9% from 2020. The main drivers of this growth were rising incomes in developing countries, especially in Asia; changing dietary patterns towards more plant-based foods; increased awareness of the health benefits of vegetables; and increased demand for convenience foods such as frozen and processed vegetables.

The global trade of vegetables in 2021 was estimated at $242 billion, an increase of 8% from 2020. The main drivers of this growth were lower transport costs due to lower oil prices; increased market access due to trade agreements; increased demand for high-value products such as organic and exotic vegetables; and increased supply from major exporting countries such as China, United States, Germany and Netherlands.

Challenges and Opportunities for Vegetable Exporters in 2021

The vegetable exporters faced several challenges in 2021 such as:

COVID-19 pandemic

The pandemic disrupted the supply chains, logistics, labor availability, consumer demand and food safety protocols for vegetable exporters. The pandemic also increased the risk of food loss and waste due to border closures, lockdowns, quarantine measures and reduced market access.

Climate change

The climate change affected the production, quality and availability of vegetables due to extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, heat waves, frost, pests and diseases. The climate change also increased the need for adaptation and mitigation measures such as irrigation, crop diversification, pest management and greenhouse cultivation.

Trade barriers

The trade barriers such as tariffs, quotas, subsidies, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers and non-tariff measures affected the competitiveness, profitability and market access of vegetable exporters. The trade barriers also increased the need for compliance with international standards and regulations such as Codex Alimentarius, Global GAP and HACCP.

The vegetable exporters also had several opportunities in 2021 such as:

E-commerce

The e-commerce enabled the vegetable exporters to reach new markets, customers and segments through online platforms, apps and social media. The e-commerce also enabled the vegetable exporters to reduce intermediaries, costs and risks; increase transparency, traceability and quality; and offer customized products and services.

Innovation

The innovation enabled the vegetable exporters to improve their productivity, efficiency and sustainability through new technologies, practices and products. The innovation also enabled the vegetable exporters to meet the changing consumer preferences, needs and expectations such as convenience, freshness, variety, nutrition and safety.

Diversification

The diversification enabled the vegetable exporters to expand their product portfolio, market coverage and customer base through new crops, varieties, value-added products and niche markets. The diversification also enabled the vegetable exporters to reduce their dependence on a few products, markets and customers; increase their resilience to shocks; and enhance their competitiveness and profitability.

References:

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL

http://faostat.fao.org/Portals/_Faostat/documents/pdf/FAOSTAT-Forestry-def-e.pdf

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FO/visualize

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Share-of-the-major-countries-in-sturgeon-production-A-Share-of-the-major-countries-in_fig2_348296880

https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize

https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/WLD/Year/LTST/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/by-country/Product/06-15_Vegetable
https://www.fas.usda.gov/fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-2021-export-highlights
http://www.fao.org/3/cb6780en/cb6780en.pdf

https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/WLD/Year/LTST/TradeFlow/Export/Partner/by-country/Product/06-15_Vegetable

https://www.fas.usda.gov/fresh-fruits-and-vegetables-2021-export-highlights