High iceberg lettuce prices in Italy amid supply shortages; Spanish exports up

Wholesale prices for lettuce in Italy reached €2.0–2.5/kg in late July 2026 due to reduced availability, while Spain increased lettuce exports by 3% in the first five months of the year.

Italian wholesale markets reported elevated lettuce prices in the week ending 27 July 2026. Iceberg lettuce was quoted around €2.5/kg, while other types such as Gentile and Romana were priced at approximately €2.0/kg. The price increases were attributed to supply shortages caused by hailstorms and high temperatures, which negatively affected production volumes, especially in Northern Italy. The scarcity was particularly acute for leafy varieties sensitive to climate stress.

Spain remained a major exporter of lettuce to Europe, with exports reaching 453,039 tonnes between January and May 2026, representing a 3% increase in volume compared to the same period in 2025. Lettuce was the third most exported fresh produce item from Spain in this period, after oranges and mandarins. The overall volume of Spanish vegetable exports (including lettuce) declined by 1%, but lettuce itself bucked the trend with growth in both volume and value.

In Italy, the shortage of both domestic and imported lettuce, including Dutch iceberg, led to further upward pressure on prices in wholesale markets such as Milan, Bologna, Padua, and Rome. The adverse weather resulted in a pronounced reduction in availability, with the Dutch product also affected by climate-related issues. Demand for lettuce remained steady despite the high prices, as summer consumption typically supports sales.

In Sicily, producers are expanding the supply chain for iceberg lettuce, focusing on enhancing quality and year-round availability through technological improvements and varietal research. The main production window extends from October through May, with approximately 120 hectares under cultivation in the Siracusa plain, but current summer supply is limited, contributing to the broader shortage in the Italian market.

The elevated prices and reduced supply in Italy are likely to impact buyers in other European countries, including Poland, as competition for available product intensifies and import costs rise. Spanish lettuce maintains a strong position in European markets, potentially offsetting some of the gaps left by Italian shortages.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI