Market Trends of Carrots And Turnips Industry
Increasing Demand for Carrots and Turnips Driving the Market
The market for carrots and turnips is being driven by increasing awareness of their health benefits and rising production, along with a focus on increasing productivity. The trend of consuming salads and other lower-calorie foods, as well as the removal of junk food from diets, has also boosted the market for carrots in commercial foods.
In the commercial food segment, baby carrots, which are longer carrots that have been peeled and cut into smaller sizes, are in high demand. The major markets for baby carrots are the United States, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and China. The development of the consumer market and the popularity of ready-to-eat packaged foods have led to the invention of baby carrots in the United States. According to a survey by the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, the per capita consumption of fresh carrots in the United States increased from 3.67 kg in 2020 to 3.81 kg in 2022.
Companies such as Bolthouse are focusing on replacing carrots and modifying the packaging to make them look like junk foods with much fewer calories and better nutrition. Bolthouse Farms and Grimmway Farms are the leading producers of baby carrots in the United States. The market for baby carrots is also growing rapidly in China due to the rising awareness of the benefits of consuming raw baby carrots. Children in China enjoy baby carrots as a snack, and mothers consider them nutritious. Therefore, the increased awareness and rising consumption are anticipated to boost the demand for carrots and turnips during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Production of Carrots and Turnips
The global consumption of carrots and turnips has significantly increased in recent years. In 2022, Asia Pacific led the production of carrots and turnips. The market for carrots and turnips in Asia-Pacific is expanding due to increased demand for fresh produce, changing dietary habits, and advancements in agricultural technology. China, India, and Japan are among the largest producers of these vegetables among Asia-Pacific countries, with China alone accounting for 44.4% of global carrot production in 2022.
Carrot production areas are widespread throughout China, with production seasons in Sichuan, Guizhou, Henan, Anhui, and Shandong following each other in succession. Chinese carrots hold a strong competitive position in the global market due to stable year-round supply and competitive pricing. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the area harvested for carrots in China increased from 3,99,927 ha in 2020 to 4,01,526.71 ha in 2022. The increase in area is associated with the rise in the demand for consumption and the availability of high-yielding varieties in the country. Thus, the area under cultivation in these countries and the increase in production are the factors anticipated to boost the Asia-Pacific market's growth during the forecast period.
