Leek Market

The global leek market is forecasted to see an increase in both volume and value over the period from 2022 to 2030. Indonesia remains the largest consumer and producer of leeks, while South Korea, Indonesia, and Germany are the countries with the highest market value. The article also covers consumption trends, production statistics, import and export data, as well as the average prices of leeks in different countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for leek worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.4M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Leeks And Other Alliaceous Vegetables

Global leek consumption shrank slightly to 2.2M tons in 2022, waning by -2.6% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 2.3M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global leek market size reduced to $2.9B in 2022, which is down by -5% 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). Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $3.1B in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Consumption By Country

Indonesia (639K tons) remains the largest leek consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 29% of total volume. Moreover, leek consumption in Indonesia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, France (165K tons), fourfold. Turkey (164K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Indonesia was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: France (+0.2% per year) and Turkey (-3.0% per year).

In value terms, South Korea ($740M), Indonesia ($377M) and Germany ($246M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 46% share of the global market. France, the UK, Turkey, Belgium, Sri Lanka, Spain, China, Japan, Poland and Kazakhstan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Kazakhstan, with a CAGR of +4.0%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of leek per capita consumption in 2022 were Belgium (7.1 kg per person), Kazakhstan (5.2 kg per person) and South Korea (2.9 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Kazakhstan (with a CAGR of +5.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Leeks And Other Alliaceous Vegetables

In 2022, approx. 2.2M tons of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables were produced worldwide; dropping by -3.7% on 2021 figures. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 4.1%. Global production peaked at 2.3M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure. The general negative 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, leek production fell to $2.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 15%. Global production peaked at $3.1B in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

Indonesia (639K tons) remains the largest leek producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 29% of total volume. Moreover, leek production in Indonesia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Turkey (169K tons), fourfold. France (158K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Indonesia was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Turkey (-3.0% per year) and France (+0.2% per year).

Yield

The global average leek yield dropped to 17 tons per ha in 2022, with a decrease of -2% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the yield increased by 4% against the previous year. The global yield peaked at 18 tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Harvested Area

In 2022, approx. 129K ha of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables were harvested worldwide; dropping by -1.7% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 3.4%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to leek production reached the maximum at 133K ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Imports

World Imports of Leeks And Other Alliaceous Vegetables

In 2022, purchases abroad of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables increased by 1% to 353K tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, leek imports fell to $420M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at $485M in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the five major importers of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, namely Japan, the United States, Germany, Russia and Spain, represented more than half of total import. It was distantly followed by France (18K tons), constituting a 5% share of total imports. Vietnam (14K tons), Poland (13K tons), Italy (8.7K tons), the Czech Republic (7.8K tons), Sweden (7.7K tons), the Netherlands (7.1K tons) and Canada (6.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +86.7%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest leek importing markets worldwide were Japan ($67M), the United States ($63M) and Germany ($52M), with a combined 43% share of global imports. Spain, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Vietnam, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +74.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average leek import price stood at $1,189 per ton in 2022, dropping by -14.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $1,458 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($2,627 per ton), while Russia ($246 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+6.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Leeks And Other Alliaceous Vegetables

In 2022, shipments abroad of leeks and other alliaceous vegetables decreased by -6.3% to 306K tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 326K tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, leek exports dropped significantly to $292M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 26%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $385M, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Exports By Country

Belgium (63K tons), the Netherlands (60K tons) and China (42K tons) represented roughly 54% of total exports in 2022. Kyrgyzstan (27K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Spain (26K tons) and Uzbekistan (17K tons). All these countries together took approx. 23% share of total exports. Mexico (12K tons), France (10K tons) and Turkey (5K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +88.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest leek supplying countries worldwide were the Netherlands ($67M), Belgium ($51M) and China ($43M), with a combined 55% share of global exports. Spain, Mexico, France, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +70.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average leek export price stood at $955 per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a slight curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1,202 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 the Netherlands ($1,113 per ton), while Kyrgyzstan ($234 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kyrgyzstan (+4.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform