EU Market Share: Who Dominates Production?
Poland is the undisputed leader in EU beetroot production, contributing 1,247.70 thousand tonnes over the five-year period — nearly a third of the EU total. France ranks second with 853.82 thousand tonnes, while Germany rounds out the top three with 522.56 thousand tonnes. Together, these three countries account for 65.4% of all beetroot harvested in the EU.
The top seven producers account for 88.1% of total EU output, with the remaining member states contributing just 11.9%. This concentration highlights beetroot's status as a crop cultivated primarily in Central and Northern Europe, with limited production in Mediterranean countries.
| Member State | Total (1 000 t) | Annual Avg (1 000 t/yr) | % of EU Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 1,247.70 | 249.54 | 31.1% |
| France | 853.82 | 170.76 | 21.3% |
| Germany | 522.56 | 104.51 | 13.0% |
| Lithuania | 318.57 | 63.71 | 7.9% |
| Spain | 252.80 | 50.56 | 6.3% |
| Netherlands | 217.73 | 43.55 | 5.4% |
| Sweden | 120.81 | 24.16 | 3.0% |
| Others | 478.22 | 95.64 | 11.9% |
| EU Total | 4,011.71 | 802.34 | 100% |
Source: Eurostat apro_cpsh1, 2020–2024
Agricultural Efficiency: Yield per Hectare
Yield data (tonnes per hectare) for beetroot is not separately tracked in the Eurostat apro_cpsh1 dataset under the YLD_HUMD_EU_T_HA indicator. However, using the available production and area figures, we can calculate implied yields. Poland produced 1,247.70 thousand tonnes from 37.60 thousand hectares, implying an average yield of approximately 33.2 t/ha. France achieved 853.82 thousand tonnes from 21.48 thousand hectares (39.7 t/ha), while Germany produced 522.56 thousand tonnes from 11.15 thousand hectares (46.9 t/ha). Lithuania, with 318.57 thousand tonnes from 10.89 thousand hectares, shows an implied yield of 29.3 t/ha.
These implied figures suggest Germany operates the most efficient beetroot farms in the EU, producing nearly 47 tonnes per hectare — over 60% more than Lithuania's implied yield. France and Poland rank in the middle, with implied yields of 39.7 t/ha and 33.2 t/ha respectively.
Regional and Climatic Divides Across Europe
Beetroot production is heavily concentrated in Eastern and Western Europe, which together account for over 80% of the EU total. Eastern European nations — Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia — produce a combined 1,629.00 thousand tonnes, reflecting the crop's strong cultural and culinary presence in the region.
Western Europe narrowly leads with 41.0% of total production, driven primarily by France and Germany. Eastern Europe follows closely at 40.6%, thanks overwhelmingly to Poland's dominant output. Southern European nations contribute a modest 11.3%, while Nordic countries account for 5.5%. This distribution reflects beetroot's preference for temperate climates rather than hot Mediterranean conditions.
| Region | Member States | Total (1 000 t) | Annual Avg (1 000 t/yr) | Share of EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | FR, DE, NL, BE, AT, LU | 1,645.44 | 329.09 | 41.0% |
| Eastern Europe | PL, LT, LV, EE | 1,629.00 | 325.80 | 40.6% |
| Southern Europe | ES, IT, EL, PT, HR, SI, CY, MT, BA | 453.21 | 90.64 | 11.3% |
| Nordic Europe | SE, FI, DK | 219.76 | 43.95 | 5.5% |
| Other | TR, CH, NO, others | 64.30 | 12.86 | 1.6% |
Source: Eurostat apro_cpsh1, 2020–2024
10-Year Production Trajectory: Rising Stars & Fading Producers
Poland remains the EU's largest beetroot producer, averaging 280,100 tonnes annually, but declined at –2.3% CAGR from 297,000 tonnes in 2015 to 240,700 tonnes in 2024 (–56,300 tonnes, –19.0%).
France grew at 3.0% CAGR from 131,900 to 172,100 tonnes (+40,100 tonnes, +30.4%). A break in series in 2020 (flagged `b`) marks a methodological change.
Germany expanded at 6.5% CAGR, nearly doubling from 65,500 to 115,000 tonnes (+49,500, +75.6%). Lithuania recorded the fastest growth at 9.2% CAGR, more than doubling output from 38,900 to 85,700 tonnes (+46,800, +120.5%).
Italy declined at –6.5% CAGR, halving from 20,700 to 11,300 tonnes (–9,400, –45.4%). Spain and the Netherlands held relatively steady.
All values in 1 000 t. b = break in series.
| Country | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | CAGR | Net Change (1 000 t) | Trajectory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL | 297.0 | 341.1 | 336.4 | 298.2 | 280.9 | 271.1 | 240.7 | 242.4 | 252.8 | 240.7 | –2.31% | –56.3 | Declining |
| FR | 131.9 | 128.8 | 152.8 | 128.8 | 152.7 | 174.8b | 177.2 | 149.8 | 179.9 | 172.1 | 2.99% | 40.1 | Ascending |
| DE | 65.5 | 76.1 | 90.9 | 81.0 | 95.7 | 99.4 | 110.4 | 94.1 | 103.7 | 115.0 | 6.46% | 49.5 | Ascending |
| ES | 44.1 | 67.6 | 50.1 | 58.4 | 60.5 | 50.7 | 55.5 | 48.8 | 50.2 | 47.7 | 0.86% | 3.6 | Stable |
| LT | 38.9 | 41.8 | 30.6 | 40.2 | 50.6 | 54.1 | 57.7 | 63.8 | 57.2 | 85.7 | 9.19% | 46.8 | Ascending |
| NL | 33.5 | 40.3 | 55.6 | 40.4 | 37.6 | 38.1 | 44.7 | 36.3 | 52.9 | 45.7 | 3.51% | 12.2 | Ascending |
| SE | 15.8 | 16.4 | 17.4 | 15.6 | 17.9 | 23.7 | 29.9 | 24.2 | 20.0 | 23.0 | 4.26% | 7.2 | Ascending |
| IT | 20.7 | 19.5 | 19.0 | 18.8 | 17.4 | 15.3 | 14.2 | 12.6 | 11.5 | 11.3 | –6.50% | –9.4 | Declining |
| EU-27 | N/A | 825.5 | 834.9 | 767.7 | 806.4 | 812.6 | 816.9 | 754.6 | 806.9 | 820.7 | — | — | Stable |
Source: Eurostat apro_cpsh1, 2020–2024
Supply Stability Scorecard: Reliability Rankings
France ranks as the most stable supplier (CV 12.48%, rank #1). Its worst single-year drop (max drawdown –15.69%) occurred between 2019 and 2020. Spain ranked #2 (CV 12.57%).
Poland shows the highest CV (12.8%) among major producers. Lithuania (28.6%, rank #8) and Sweden (21.86%, rank #7) are the most volatile.
CV < 10% = Very stable; CV 10–20% = Moderately stable; CV > 20% = Volatile.
| Country | Mean (1 000 t) | CV% | Max Drawdown% | Years Below Mean | Stability Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR | 154.89 | 12.48 | –15.69 | 6 | 1 |
| ES | 53.36 | 12.57 | –25.84 | 6 | 2 |
| PL | 280.12 | 12.80 | –11.34 | 5 | 3 |
| DE | 93.18 | 15.70 | –14.77 | 4 | 4 |
| NL | 42.52 | 16.10 | –27.36 | 6 | 5 |
| IT | 16.05 | 20.75 | –11.99 | 5 | 6 |
| SE | 20.38 | 21.86 | –19.15 | 6 | 7 |
| LT | 52.06 | 28.60 | –26.78 | 5 | 8 |
Source: Eurostat apro_cpsh1, 2020–2024
Land Allocation Shift: 10-Year Cropland Transformation
Poland's area contracted from 11,300 to 7,800 hectares (–31.0%, –4.03% annualized), yet it remains the largest area-holder.
Germany expanded from 1,500 to 2,500 hectares (+69.1%, 6.01% annualized), France from 2,900 to 4,300 (+50.2%, 4.62%), and Lithuania from 1,600 to 2,400 (+48.8%, 4.51%).
France's production CAGR (3.0%) trails its area growth (4.62%), while Germany's production CAGR (6.5%) closely tracks its area CAGR (6.01%). Lithuania's production CAGR (9.19%) far exceeds its area CAGR (4.51%).
Italy's area halved from 1,000 to 500 hectares (–52.6%, –7.96% annualized).
All values in 1 000 ha. b = break in series.
| Country | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Net Change (1 000 ha) | Growth Rate | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL | 11.3 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.7 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.8 | –3.5 | –4.03% | Contracting |
| FR | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 4.5b | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 4.62% | Expanding |
| DE | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 6.01% | Expanding |
| ES | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 1.27% | Expanding |
| LT | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 4.51% | Expanding |
| NL | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 4.84% | Expanding |
| SE | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 3.25% | Expanding |
| IT | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | –0.5 | –7.96% | Contracting |
| EU-27 | N/A | 23.4 | 23.5 | 24.2 | 25.1 | 23.1 | 23.3 | 22.1 | 21.9 | 23.4 | — | — | Stable |
Source: Eurostat apro_cpsh1, 2020–2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Which EU country produces the most beetroot?
Poland is the largest beetroot producer in the EU, contributing 1,247.70 thousand tonnes over 2020–2024, which represents 31.1% of the bloc's total production.
How much beetroot does the EU produce annually?
The EU27 produces an average of 802.34 thousand tonnes of beetroot per year, with total 5-year production reaching 4,011.71 thousand tonnes between 2020 and 2024.
Which EU country has the fastest-growing beetroot production?
Lithuania recorded the fastest growth among top producers, with output rising 58.2% from 54.15 thousand tonnes in 2020 to 85.68 thousand tonnes in 2024.
Which EU country recorded the fastest beetroot production growth over the 2015–2024 decade?
Lithuania posted the strongest CAGR at 9.19%, more than doubling output from 38,900 to 85,700 tonnes. Germany grew at 6.46% CAGR. Italy declined at –6.5% CAGR and Poland at –2.31%.
Which EU country is the most reliable beetroot supplier?
France ranks #1 in supply stability (CV 12.48%). Spain ranks second (CV 12.57%).
Where is EU beetroot farmland expanding and contracting?
Area is expanding fastest in Germany (+69.1%), France (+50.2%), and Lithuania (+48.8%). Poland contracted area by 31% while Italy halved its acreage (–52.6%).
Source data extracted from Eurostat dataset apro_cpsh1.
This article was generated using AI. The content is based on Eurostat data and is provided as a starting point — please verify all data with the original source.
