Fresh Butterhead Lettuce thumbnail

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Market Overview 2026

Parent Product
HS Code
070519
Last Updated
2026-04-20
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
  • Fresh Butterhead Lettuce market coverage spans 119 countries.
  • 56 exporter companies and 57 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
  • 110 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 8 countries.
  • 0 premium suppliers and 0 catalog items are currently listed.
  • Wholesale sample entries: 5; farmgate sample entries: 3.
  • Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2026.
  • Page data last updated on 2026-04-20.

Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce

Analyze 110 supplier-linked transactions across the top 8 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce.

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum

Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Fresh Butterhead Lettuce to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce: Mexico (+196.3%), Netherlands (-74.7%), China (-45.4%).

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary

As of 2025-05, benchmark Fresh Butterhead Lettuce country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-10, countries with visible Fresh Butterhead Lettuce transaction unit prices: Costa Rica (12.00 USD / kg), Peru (4.19 USD / kg), Mexico (3.49 USD / kg).
CountryYoY ChangeTransaction Count2025-052025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-04
Peru+0.6%294.21 USD / kg (115.66 kg)4.12 USD / kg (34.58 kg)4.13 USD / kg (6.9 kg)4.18 USD / kg (354.33 kg)4.19 USD / kg (238.13 kg)4.19 USD / kg (210.91 kg)
Costa Rica-20- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)12.00 USD / kg (3.84 kg)
Mexico+196.3%461.97 USD / kg (10,536.27 kg)- (-)9.25 USD / kg (49.03 kg)1.38 USD / kg (4,579.62 kg)3.49 USD / kg (289.01 kg)3.49 USD / kg (566.91 kg)
Netherlands-74.7%3- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
Vietnam-2- (-)6.84 USD / kg (19 kg)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
South Africa+38.0%1- (-)- (-)- (-)4.67 USD / kg (3 kg)- (-)- (-)
United States-23.6%2- (-)0.29 USD / kg (21,772 kg)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
China-45.4%7- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)- (-)
Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Global Supply Chain Coverage
113 companies
56 exporters and 57 importers are mapped for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals

56 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles

Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 56 total exporter companies in the Fresh Butterhead Lettuce supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(France)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-20
Industries: Crop Production
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing
Exporting Countries: Costa Rica
Supplying Products: Fresh Lettuce, Fresh Lettuce Leaf, Fresh Head Lettuce +2
(Brazil)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-20
Industries: Crop Production
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing
Exporting Countries: Bolivia
Supplying Products: Fresh Carrot, Fresh Lettuce, Fresh Red Cabbage +3
(Netherlands)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-08-04
Employee Size: 51 - 100 Employees
Industries: Food Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale
Exporting Countries: Vietnam
Supplying Products: Fresh Artichoke Bud, Fresh Broccoli, Fresh Lettuce +3
(Guatemala)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-20
Industries: OthersFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingTrade
Exporting Countries: United States
Supplying Products: Fresh Snow Pea Pods, Fresh Snap Pea Pods, Fresh Lettuce +3
(United States)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-20
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Food WholesalersCrop ProductionFood ManufacturingFood Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / PackingDistribution / WholesaleFood Manufacturing
Exporting Countries: Mexico
Supplying Products: Fresh Lettuce Leaf, Fresh Strawberry, Fresh Lettuce +3
(Australia)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-09-22
Industries: Crop ProductionFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / PackingDistribution / Wholesale
Exporting Countries: Vietnam, Russia, Costa Rica, Panama, Ukraine
Supplying Products: Fresh Lettuce Leaf, Fresh Lettuce, Fresh Sugar Beet +5
Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Global Exporter Coverage
56 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Fresh Butterhead Lettuce opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.

Top Exporting Countries for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce (HS Code 070519) in 2024

For Fresh Butterhead Lettuce in 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 10 supplier countries to map core supply structure.
RankCountryVolumeValue
1United States242,678,210 kg503,094,333 USD
2Spain316,702,589.8 kg466,909,403.145 USD
3Mexico198,937,654 kg371,390,312 USD
4Italy46,900,985 kg137,551,261.281 USD
5Netherlands66,437,309 kg120,549,244.84 USD
6Canada15,393,209 kg53,425,963.643 USD
7Germany36,296,412 kg46,100,275.552 USD
8Belgium10,854,501.42 kg23,916,881.757 USD
9Egypt6,727,583.491 kg12,484,234.51 USD
10Malaysia8,054,032.8 kg12,261,178.975 USD

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Export Trade Flow and Partner Country Summary

Track Fresh Butterhead Lettuce exporter-to-importer flows by value, volume, and share to uncover high-potential export routes.

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks

57 importer companies are mapped for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners

Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 57 total importer companies tracked for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Panama)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-20
Industries: OthersFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: -
(United States)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-20
Industries: Food Services And Drinking PlacesFood ManufacturingFood PackagingFood Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Costa Rica)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-20
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Mexico)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-20
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(United States)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-20
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Russia)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-20
Employee Size: 1 - 10 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Food Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: -
Global Importer Coverage
57 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Fresh Butterhead Lettuce buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.

Top Import Demand Countries for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce (HS Code 070519) in 2024

For Fresh Butterhead Lettuce in 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 10 demand countries to identify priority markets.
RankCountryVolumeValue
1United States230,689,212 kg469,536,508 USD
2Canada186,965,065.174 kg422,241,814.041 USD
3Germany66,991,175.267 kg165,248,239.259 USD
4United Kingdom36,432,725 kg80,645,019.286 USD
5Netherlands43,665,580 kg65,230,522.162 USD
6Italy54,412,627 kg64,690,747.685 USD
7Poland30,858,039 kg54,822,458 USD
8Belgium19,335,508.13 kg47,736,164.652 USD
9Mexico36,109,600 kg33,368,982 USD
10Spain15,230,461.05 kg31,700,252.183 USD

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Import Trade Flow and Origin Country Summary

Analyze Fresh Butterhead Lettuce origin-to-destination trade flows by value, volume, and share to monitor demand-side sourcing channels.

Global Wholesale Supplier Price Trends by Country for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Monthly Wholesale Supplier Price Summary by Country

Monthly Fresh Butterhead Lettuce wholesale unit-price benchmarks by country for export and sourcing decisions.
In 2025-10, countries with visible Fresh Butterhead Lettuce wholesale unit prices: South Korea (7.35 USD / kg), Ukraine (3.05 USD / kg), Thailand (1.42 USD / kg), Argentina (1.02 USD / kg), South Africa (0.26 USD / kg).
Country2025-052025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-04
South Korea4.06 USD / kg4.16 USD / kg3.43 USD / kg4.97 USD / kg6.50 USD / kg7.35 USD / kg
Argentina1.01 USD / kg2.19 USD / kg2.00 USD / kg1.20 USD / kg0.67 USD / kg1.02 USD / kg
Thailand1.34 USD / kg1.26 USD / kg1.09 USD / kg1.36 USD / kg1.55 USD / kg1.42 USD / kg
Ukraine2.16 USD / kg1.79 USD / kg1.41 USD / kg1.76 USD / kg1.87 USD / kg3.05 USD / kg
South Africa0.84 USD / kg0.91 USD / kg0.47 USD / kg0.48 USD / kg0.43 USD / kg0.26 USD / kg

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Wholesale Price Competitiveness by Major Exporting Countries

Compare Fresh Butterhead Lettuce wholesale price ranges and YoY changes across the top 5 exporting countries to benchmark supplier price competitiveness.
RankCountryAverageLowerUpperYoY
1South Korea5.12 USD / kg2.57 USD / kg8.75 USD / kg-18.9%
2Argentina1.23 USD / kg0.51 USD / kg3.03 USD / kg-21.1%
3Thailand1.26 USD / kg0.31 USD / kg2.54 USD / kg-9.8%
4Ukraine2.79 USD / kg0.80 USD / kg5.75 USD / kg-17.0%
5South Africa0.54 USD / kg0.07 USD / kg1.68 USD / kg-6.9%

Latest Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Wholesale Export Price Updates

Use the latest 5 Fresh Butterhead Lettuce wholesale updates to validate current export price points and origin-level supplier changes.
DateEntry NameUnit Price (USD) 
2026-04-01LET**** ****** * ******* ******* ****** *******12.18 USD / kg
2026-04-01let**** ***** * ******* **** ********5.32 USD / kg
2026-04-01LEC************** ********** * ******* ****** ****** ******** ******** ****** * ******* *******6.12 USD / kg
2026-04-01LEC************** ********** * ******* ****** ****** ******** ******** ****** ************ ******* *******6.57 USD / kg
2026-04-01let**** ***** ****** * ******* **** ***********5.48 USD / kg

Global Farmgate Supplier Price Trends by Country for Fresh Butterhead Lettuce

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Monthly Farmgate Supplier Price Summary by Country

Monthly Fresh Butterhead Lettuce farmgate unit-price benchmarks by country to monitor supplier-side cost movement.
In 2025-10, countries with visible Fresh Butterhead Lettuce farmgate unit prices: Thailand (1.82 USD / kg).
Country2025-052025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-04
Thailand1.35 USD / kg1.53 USD / kg1.50 USD / kg1.60 USD / kg1.79 USD / kg1.82 USD / kg

Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Farmgate Cost Trends by Major Exporting Supplier Countries

Compare Fresh Butterhead Lettuce farmgate price levels and YoY changes across the top 1 exporting countries to understand origin-side supplier cost structure.
RankCountryAverageLowerUpperYoY
1Thailand1.65 USD / kg1.21 USD / kg2.60 USD / kg+0.5%

Latest Fresh Butterhead Lettuce Farmgate Export Cost Updates

Review the latest 3 Fresh Butterhead Lettuce farmgate updates to monitor origin-side export cost and supplier pricing shifts.
DateEntry NameUnit Price (USD) 
2025-12-01Fre** ********** ******* ******** ********* * *** *3.24 USD / kg
2025-12-01Fre** ********** ******* ******* ********* * *** *1.72 USD / kg
2021-01-01Fre** ********** ******* ****** * *** *0.30 USD / kg

Classification

Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product

Raw Material

Commodity GroupLeafy vegetable (lettuce)
Scientific NameLactuca sativa L. var. capitata L. (butterhead/head-lettuce group)
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions
  • Cool-season crop; quality and successful heading are sensitive to high temperatures (risk of bolting and quality loss)
  • Requires consistent moisture and careful nutrient management to avoid quality defects
  • Produced in open-field and protected cultivation systems depending on region and season
Main VarietiesButterhead/Boston, Bibb
Consumption Forms
  • Fresh salads and sandwiches
  • Whole-leaf use (e.g., wraps)
  • Ingredient for fresh-cut salad products
Grading Factors
  • Freshness and turgidity (wilting control)
  • Uniform varietal characteristics and color
  • Freedom from decay and significant defects (including tipburn and disease damage)
  • Head/leaf integrity and trimming quality
Planting to HarvestTypically 40–80 days to maturity depending on lettuce type, cultivar, and growing conditions.

Market

Fresh butterhead lettuce (a head-lettuce type) is a highly perishable leafy vegetable traded primarily in regional corridors where cold-chain reliability and transit time are manageable. Global production is widely distributed, but FAOSTAT’s lettuce-and-chicory category indicates strong concentration in China and the United States, with major additional output in India and Mediterranean Europe. In trade data for lettuce under HS 070511/070519, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, Mexico, and China are consistently among the leading exporters, while the United States, Canada, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are major import markets. Market access and pricing are strongly shaped by food-safety risk management (leafy greens are commonly consumed raw), strict retailer specifications, and the need for rapid postharvest cooling and high-humidity cold storage.
Major Producing Countries
  • ChinaAmong the largest producers in FAOSTAT’s “lettuce and chicory” category.
  • United StatesAmong the largest producers in FAOSTAT’s “lettuce and chicory” category; also a major exporter and importer in UN Comtrade (via WITS) for HS 070511/070519.
  • IndiaAmong the largest producers in FAOSTAT’s “lettuce and chicory” category.
  • SpainMajor producer and a leading exporter in UN Comtrade (via WITS) for HS 070511/070519.
  • ItalySignificant producer and active intra-European trader in HS 070511/070519 flows.
Major Exporting Countries
  • SpainLeading exporter for head-lettuce and other lettuce categories (HS 070511/070519) in UN Comtrade (via WITS).
  • United StatesMajor exporter for HS 070519 in UN Comtrade (via WITS), with Canada a key destination in that category.
  • NetherlandsKey European exporter and distribution hub for HS 070511/070519 in UN Comtrade (via WITS).
  • MexicoMajor exporter for HS 070511/070519 in UN Comtrade (via WITS), closely tied to North American supply chains.
  • ChinaAmong leading exporters for HS 070511/070519 in UN Comtrade (via WITS), including regional flows in East Asia.
Major Importing Countries
  • United StatesTop importer in UN Comtrade (via WITS) for HS 070519 and a major importer for HS 070511.
  • CanadaTop importer in UN Comtrade (via WITS) for HS 070519; heavily integrated with U.S. supply.
  • GermanyMajor importer in UN Comtrade (via WITS) for HS 070519 and HS 070511.
  • FranceMajor importer in UN Comtrade (via WITS) for HS 070519 and HS 070511.
  • United KingdomMajor importer in UN Comtrade (via WITS) for HS 070519 and a top importer for HS 070511.

Specification

Major VarietiesButterhead/Boston types, Bibb types, Buttercrunch-type cultivars
Physical Attributes
  • Soft, tender leaves forming a relatively loose head with high susceptibility to bruising and dehydration
  • Quality is strongly tied to leaf turgidity, color, and freedom from decay and physiological defects (e.g., tipburn)
Grades
  • UNECE FFV-22 standard framework for Lettuce and Endives (used as an international reference for minimum requirements and quality classes)
  • USDA AMS U.S. grade standards for lettuce (e.g., U.S. Fancy, U.S. No. 1, U.S. No. 2) used in U.S.-linked trade
Packaging
  • Corrugated cartons or reusable plastic containers (RPCs) for cold-chain shipment
  • Retail presentation may include film wrapping or bagging to reduce moisture loss (market-dependent)
ProcessingFrequently used as an input for fresh-cut salad products; cutting and washing increase food-safety and shelf-life sensitivity, making strict hygiene controls essential (Codex-aligned practices and buyer requirements).

Supply Chain

Value Chain
  • Harvest -> trimming/sorting -> rapid cooling (often vacuum cooling for some lettuce types) -> cold storage at near 0°C with high humidity -> refrigerated transport -> distribution -> retail/foodservice
Demand Drivers
  • Fresh salad and sandwich consumption in retail and foodservice
  • Growth of convenience formats (fresh-cut, ready-to-eat salads) that use lettuce as a key raw material
  • Preference for year-round availability supported by diversified sourcing and protected cultivation in some regions
Temperature
  • Near 0°C storage is commonly recommended to maximize postharvest life for leafy lettuces; high relative humidity (>95%) is typically targeted to limit wilting
  • Rapid postharvest cooling methods (including vacuum cooling and hydrocooling for some lettuce categories) are used to remove field heat and slow deterioration
Atmosphere Control
  • Packaged product (especially fresh-cut) may use modified-atmosphere approaches to slow deterioration, but outcomes depend on temperature control and product condition
Shelf Life
  • Shelf life is short and highly temperature sensitive; storage life varies by lettuce type and declines quickly if held above near-freezing temperatures
  • Physical damage and dehydration rapidly reduce marketability, reinforcing the need for gentle handling and continuous cold chain

Risks

Food Safety HighLeafy greens are often eaten raw, so contamination by pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, shiga-toxin producing E. coli, norovirus) can trigger outbreaks, recalls, and rapid loss of buyer confidence, disrupting trade flows and tightening import controls.Implement and verify GAP/GHP/HACCP-aligned controls across water quality, sanitation, worker hygiene, and traceability; use supplier approval/audits and rapid incident-response playbooks.
Cold Chain MediumButterhead lettuce is highly perishable and dehydrates and deteriorates quickly if temperature and humidity targets are not maintained; cold-chain breaks can convert shippable product into waste within a short time window.Use rapid postharvest cooling, maintain near-0°C transport and high humidity, and minimize handling steps and dwell times.
Climate MediumLettuce is heat sensitive (risk of bolting and quality loss), so heatwaves and warm nights can reduce yields and marketable quality, increasing price volatility and shifting sourcing toward protected cultivation and cooler-season windows.Diversify origins and production systems (field + protected), adjust planting calendars, and use heat-tolerant cultivars where feasible.
Plant Health MediumCommon pests and diseases (including downy mildew and grey mold) can reduce yield and quality and can increase reliance on crop protection products, raising residue-compliance complexity for export markets.Use integrated pest management (IPM), resistant cultivars where available, and residue-management programs aligned to destination-market MRLs.
Sustainability
  • Water and nutrient (nitrogen) management in intensive leafy-vegetable systems, including runoff and groundwater impacts in some producing regions
  • Pesticide-residue compliance risk across markets with differing MRL regimes (national rules, EU rules, and Codex references)
  • Food loss and waste risk due to short shelf life and strict cosmetic specifications, increasing embedded resource losses
  • Packaging footprint trade-offs (moisture-loss protection vs. plastic use), especially for retail-ready and fresh-cut formats
Labor & Social
  • Reliance on seasonal agricultural labor, with occupational safety and health risks in harvesting and packing (including heat exposure and pesticide-related hazards) requiring active OSH management

FAQ

Which countries are leading exporters of fresh lettuce relevant to butterhead (head-lettuce) trade?In UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS portal, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, Mexico, and China are among the leading exporters for lettuce trade categories that include head-lettuce types (HS 070511) and other lettuce (HS 070519).
Why is cold-chain management critical for fresh butterhead lettuce in international distribution?Butterhead lettuce is highly perishable and loses quality quickly when temperature and humidity are not tightly controlled. Postharvest guidance for leafy lettuces commonly targets storage near 0°C with very high relative humidity and emphasizes rapid cooling methods (such as vacuum cooling in some lettuce categories) to preserve shelf life.
What is the biggest trade-disrupting food-safety risk for fresh lettuce?Because leafy greens are frequently eaten raw, contamination by pathogens like Salmonella, shiga-toxin producing E. coli, or norovirus can lead to outbreaks and large recalls, which can rapidly disrupt supply chains and trigger tighter buyer and regulatory controls. Risk assessments and investigations for leafy greens highlight irrigation water, equipment, and farm/packing environments as important contamination pathways that require strong hygiene and preventive controls.

Sources

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