Cabbages are one of the eldest vegetables known; they were already cultivated by the Egyptians in 2,500 B.C. Their origin is still not clear. Some authors think that they come from the coastal areas of the Mediterranean sea, whereas others state that they come from Minor Asia, from where they were taken to Europe. The Greeks and the Romans conferred them medicinal properties.
The figures of production, export and import of the FAO for the oleraceae under the term " cabbages" include all the Brassicae except for broccoli and cauliflower (headed cabbages, Chinese cabbages, red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kohlrabi). The main producing countries are China, Russia, India and Korea.
The worldwide cabbage production is as follows:
Continent | Thousand tons | % |
---|
Africa | 905 | 2 |
Asia | 31,704 | 65 |
Europe | 12,254 | 25 |
North America | 2,722 | 6 |
Oceania | 99 | 1 |
South America | 557 | 1 |
Total | 48,241 | 100 |
Source: FAO Production Yearbook, 1998
The 10 main countries of cabbage production are the following:
Country | Thousand tons |
---|
China | 19,953 |
Russian Federation | 4,500 |
India | 4,200 |
Korea | 2,755 |
Japan | 2,550 |
The United States | 2,084 |
Poland | 1,778 |
Indonesia | 1,401 |
Ukraine | 1,070 |
Rumania | 1,000 |
Source: FAO Production Yearbook, 2000
The 10 main export countries are:
Country | Tons |
---|
The United States | 213 |
The Netherlands | 164 |
Poland | 87 |
China | 86 |
Italy | 66 |
Spain | 57 |
Indonesia | 36 |
Canada | 36 |
Germany | 28 |
Mexico | 20 |
Source: FAO Trade Yearbook, 1999
The 10 main import countries are:
Country | Tons |
---|
Russian Federation | 180 |
Germany | 159 |
Japan | 133 |
Canada | 126 |
The United States | 107 |
China | 89 |
Malaysia | 41 |
France | 37 |
The Netherlands | 36 |
Singapur | 33 |
Source: FAO Trade Yearbook, 1999