According to a representative survey commissioned by Kietaviškių grupė, potatoes are the most consumed by 62% of Lithuanian households.
These three vegetables form the basis of the everyday table: they are eaten fresh, added to salads, salted, pickled and used in hot dishes.
Interestingly, in Vilnius, preferences are slightly biased: tomatoes are chosen by 62% of respondents, and cucumbers by 58%, which makes the capital the main consumer of these vegetables in the country. Carrots close the top four with an indicator of 34%, and beets, which many consider a "people's" vegetable, scored only 11% among Vilnius residents and took one of the last places.
It is indicative that the popularity of potatoes does not depend on income or region: in large cities, 65% of households choose it, in district centers - 57%. This is a truly national product.
In the spring, when the stocks of last year's harvest run out and the new one is not yet ripe, the demand for fresh vegetables reaches its peak. A survey by Lidl Lietuva revealed that Lithuanians are most looking forward to short-fruited cucumbers (25%), radishes (15%) and fresh herbs (11%).
In March, the first local cucumbers and tomatoes from greenhouses already appear at the Kalvarija Market in Vilnius, but their prices bite: cucumber at 6.5 euros per kilogram, tomatoes at 5.5 euros, and green onions at 1.50 euros per 100 grams. This is the price of an early harvest grown in their own greenhouses, and it reflects the willingness of some buyers to pay for freshness out of season.
May-June is a turning point. Lithuanian greenhouse products are entering the market en masse, and prices are falling rapidly. According to the Agricultural Data Center, in May 2026, the average purchase price of cucumbers decreased by 25.9% - from 2.24 to 1.66 euros per kg, tomatoes - by 25.8% - from 4.49 to 3.33 euros per kg.
As for other vegetables, in May, white cabbage kept a stable price at 0.31 euros per kg, which is 58% less than in May 2025. Red cabbage fell in price by 5.9% over the month to 0.64 euros per kg.
In summer and early autumn, local vegetables are not just affordable, they are objectively profitable. For example, new Lithuanian potatoes in Maxima in May 2026 cost 0.99 euros per kilogram, which is 23% lower than last year. Rimi representatives note that the stability of prices for local cucumbers and tomatoes is ensured by growing competition among producers and a steady supply.
In winter and early spring, the situation changes: imported products enter the market, and local vegetables from storage become more expensive. However, even in the off-season, it makes sense to keep an eye on promotions and compare prices between chains. An LRT study showed that the lowest prices for fruits and vegetables in April 2026 were in Lidl — an average of 3.94 euros, while in Iki — 4.80 euros. This is not an advertisement for a specific store, but an observation: competition between chains is beneficial to the buyer.
It is also worth considering the weather factor. The summer of 2026 turned out to be difficult for vegetable growers: cold nights and sharp temperature changes slowed down the ripening of tomatoes and cucumbers. According to the Lithuanian Vegetable Growers' Association, it is the weather and the volume of the harvest, and not fuel prices, that will determine the final prices during the season.
The capital offers the widest selection of markets. Kalvarijų turgus (Kalvarijų turgus, Kalvarijų str. 61) is the best option for shopping for the week. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 to 17:00, but serious buyers come from 7:30 to 10:30, when the maximum number of street stalls is open. Here you can buy seasonal vegetables, fruits, herbs, as well as meat, fish and dairy products.
Halės Market (Halės turgus, 58 Pylimo Street) is the oldest market in Vilnius, combining tradition and modern gastronomy. The main market is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 to 18:00, on Sunday until 15:00.
The Kaunas Farmers' Market is open on Saturdays and sells mainly local produce. Here you can buy vegetables, fruits, juices, dairy products, honey and fish. Prices for some items are higher than in supermarkets, but buyers come for quality and freshness. The best time to visit is in the morning, by 11-12 o'clock the best choice may run out.
There are four main markets in Klaipėda. The Old Market (Turgaus a. 5) is the oldest, open daily from 9:00 to 15:00; here you can buy vegetables, fruits, dairy products, honey and seasonal berries, and on Saturday mornings there is a "Market of Good Neighbors". Tilžės g. 51 is the largest in the city, with more than 900 merchants, open from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 17:00, on Sunday until 16:00. The New Market (Taikos pr. 80) is closer to residential areas in the south of the city and is open from 7:00 to 19:00. Payurio Mishkas Market (Liepojos g. 12) small, but with farm products directly.
The farmers' market in Akropolis Šiauliai is open on Fridays and Saturdays in the parking lot of the shopping centre. It sells fresh and pickled vegetables, jams, juices, cheeses, meat products, honey and bread. The Dvaro Market (212 Vilniaus Street) comes alive on Saturdays: fresh vegetables, flowers, pickled products and even a canteen with Lithuanian national dishes.
The Central Market (Ukmergės g.) is the main platform for buying local vegetables. It is open from 7:00 to 16:00, but active trade is from 7:00 to 10:00. Here you can find early greenhouse cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, herbs and even Lithuanian strawberries in season. According to Delfi, in May 2026, cost from 2.5 to 4 euros per kilogram here, tomatoes - up to 5 euros, radishes - up to 1.50 euros.
Fresh vegetables in Lithuania are primarily a seasonal story. If you want to eat local, delicious and not overpay, summer and early autumn are your time. In early spring, you will either have to pay 5-6.5 euros per kilogram for greenhouse products, or wait. If you buy in winter, focus on promotions and do not be afraid of imported products: in the off-season, they are often objectively cheaper.
And most importantly: the market in Lithuania is not just a place to buy, but an indicator of the season. When the first Lithuanian cucumbers appear in Panevėžys at 2.5-4 euros, consider that spring has officially come into its own. And when their prices fall to 1.66 euros, it means that summer is already here.
Sources: Alfa.lt, LRT, Žemės ūkio duomenų centras, Lidl Lietuva / Norstat, 15min.lt, Delfi, VisitVilnius.lt, Trip.com, Kietaviškių grupė / Spinter tyrimai, Lietuvos daržovių augintojų asociacija.
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