High lettuce prices in Italy, Spanish exports rise, supply limited

Italian wholesale lettuce prices exceed €2.0/kg due to hail-reduced supply, while Spanish lettuce exports rose 3% in volume January-May 2026.

In Italy, wholesale prices for lettuce are reported above €2.0 per kilogram at the end of July 2026. Iceberg lettuce is trading around €2.5/kg, with other varieties such as Gentile and Romana at about €2.0/kg. The price surge is attributed to significant supply shortages following hailstorms in key production regions. The market is described as having evident product scarcity, especially for delicate leafy types sensitive to climate stress.

Spanish lettuce remains a leading export product. Between January and May 2026, Spain exported 453,039 tonnes of lettuce, representing a 3% increase in volume compared to the same period in 2025. Lettuce is the third most exported Spanish fresh vegetable by volume, following oranges and mandarins. The overall Spanish vegetable export volume for this period was 2.9 million tonnes, down 1% year-on-year.

In Sicily, the development of a dedicated Iceberg lettuce supply chain is underway, with production concentrated on around 120 hectares in the coastal plain of Syracuse. The harvest season for Sicilian Iceberg runs from early October to late May, aiming for continuous supply and high quality. Advanced agronomic techniques, precision irrigation, and manual harvesting at optimal maturity are employed to maintain product standards and shelf-life.

Demand for lettuce in Italy is described as weak despite high prices, indicating that availability, rather than consumer pull, is driving the current price levels. In Spain, lettuce continues to be a staple in export markets, including destinations such as Germany, France, and Poland, contributing to the strong trade balance.

Unusual weather, particularly heat waves and hail, has disrupted lettuce supply in Italy, pushing prices higher and limiting availability for export. This situation may influence import prices and supply in Poland and other Central European markets, which rely on Italian and Spanish lettuce during the summer months.

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