Peppers have become an indispensable part of European cuisine, according to GroentenFruit Huis. In 2024, the Netherlands produced more than 407 million kilos of peppers on 1,570 hectares, the industry organisation reports in its factsheet paprika. Germany (27%) and the UK (24%) are particularly important buyers, together accounting for more than half of Dutch exports.
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Within the supermarket category, mixed peppers still dominate, but loose red peppers, pointed peppers, and snack peppers are rapidly gaining ground. Snack varieties are especially popular among families with children; more than half of this volume is purchased by this group.
Interest in peppers is also growing internationally. Polish households buy peppers most frequently (90%), followed by German (87%) and Dutch (86%) consumers.
Dutch pepper sales up
According to GroentenFruit Huis, sales of Dutch peppers in the first half of 2025 were higher than in the same period last year. "For example, exports rose by 11% compared to last year, and Dutch supermarkets also sold slightly more (+1%) peppers," the trade association reports.
Peppers thus remain an important and colourful player in both the Dutch and European vegetable markets, according to GroentenFruit Huis.
Source: GroentenFruit Huis
