Trends in Production and Export Potential of Cabbage in India: A Growth and Stability Analysis

Abstract

India’s horticulture sector plays a major role in the economy, contributing about one-third of agricultural GVA, with vegetables dominating production and exports due to favorable climatic diversity. Among vegetables, cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is an important, nutrient-rich cash crop with significant health benefits and global importance in food security. The present study examined the production and export performance of cabbage in India using secondary data obtained from various governmental departmental repositories and official websites. Statistical techniques like mean, standard deviation, CV (Coefficient of variation), regression and CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) were applied for analysis. Cabbage has contributed a 4.92 % share of the mean aggregate production of Indian vegetables over the last ten years. Although India contributed 8.29% share of global cabbage production with a CAGR of 1.65 % over the last 10 years (2014-15 to 2024-25), ranked 2nd after China, but the share of global cabbage exports was estimated at only 0.10 % over the same period. The major destinations for cabbage export from India were emerging markets like Vietnam and Poland showing positive trends indicating opportunities for growth of export. Hence, India has to explore more export markets without sacrificing domestic demand. The lower growth rate (CAGR) of productivity (0.14 %) of cabbage compared to the area (2.60 %) over two decades (2000-01 to 2024-25) harnesses technological breakthroughs. Two major cabbage producing states, viz. West Bengal and Odisha accounted 34.45 % of national production. In terms of productivity, West Bengal (28.35 t/ha) and Uttar Pradesh (27.98 t/ha) ranked highest in the country. Therefore, priority should be given to enhancing productivity through technological advancement, alongside the development of adequate market infrastructure and improvements in post-harvest management, particularly processing, to strengthen the overall production and export potential of cabbage.