HS Code:
Lettuce, classified under HS Code 0705.11 (for head lettuce) and 0705.19 (for other lettuce), is a widely cultivated leafy vegetable traded globally for fresh consumption. It is a staple in salads and various cuisines, with demand driven by health-conscious consumers and the food service industry. Major varieties include iceberg, romaine, and leaf lettuce. Global trade is influenced by seasonality, climate suitability, and proximity to consumer markets, with significant production in temperate and subtropical regions.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $2.5 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database and International Trade Centre (ITC)
$1.2 billion USD
48% of global trade of total trade
Increasing
$400 million USD
16% of global trade of total trade
Stable
$250 million USD
10% of global trade of total trade
Increasing
$200 million USD
8% of global trade of total trade
Increasing
$150 million USD
6% of global trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5-10% ad valorem
Highest Rate
Up to 35% (in certain developing markets with protective agricultural policies)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU Single Market or USMCA)
Rising demand for organic lettuce
Increased trade in certified organic products, with premiums on price driving export growth in countries like the US and Netherlands.
2021-2023
Growth in hydroponic and vertical farming
Reduced dependency on seasonal production, leading to more consistent year-round exports, especially from tech-forward countries like the Netherlands.
2020-2023
Climate change affecting production
Shifts in growing regions and trade patterns due to extreme weather, with countries like Spain facing challenges from droughts.
2019-2023
Under the USMCA, discussions on seasonal tariffs for lettuce and other vegetables have aimed to balance trade flows and protect domestic farmers.
October 2022
Potential reduction in tariffs for Mexican lettuce entering the US, boosting trade volume.
The EU's Green Deal policies are pushing for stricter pesticide regulations, affecting lettuce exporters to the region.
March 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters outside the EU, potentially reducing competitiveness of non-EU suppliers.
Severe drought conditions in Spain, a key lettuce exporter, have led to reduced yields and higher prices on the global market.
June 2023
Shift in demand to alternative suppliers like the Netherlands and Italy, altering trade patterns.