Apple market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the fresh apple market in Belarus experienced significant fluctuations. After reaching 812.8 тыс. т in 2018, the market volume dropped to 520.7 тыс. т in 2019. It then recovered to 626.7 тыс. т in 2020, against the backdrop of import substitution policies in Russia, where Belarusian apples remained in demand despite instances of illegal transit of produce from other countries under Belarusian labeling.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market continued to contract, falling to 432.0 тыс. т in 2021 and further to 346.3 тыс. т in 2023. State support for horticulture in Belarus, including the expansion of the State Register of Agricultural Plant Varieties, stimulated domestic production. Additionally, the development of storage technologies such as controlled atmosphere storage extended the marketing period, with plans to store 24.3 тыс. т for off-season sales in 2023. However, restrictions on imports of Belarusian apples into Russia due to measures against illegal transit affected trade flows.

In 2024, price regulation for fresh vegetables and apples through Council of Ministers Decree No. 713 began to shape new pricing conditions, while the share of produce under the 'Made in Belarus' brand in retail chains reached two-thirds, reflecting a strong orientation toward import substitution.

Production apple in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, apple production in Belarus reached its lowest point, while 2018 saw the highest level at 700.2 thousand tons, representing a 120.8% increase from the previous year. Production then declined sharply by 51.9% in 2019, before rebounding to 532.7 thousand tons in 2020, which marked a 58.2% advance compared to 2019. Overall, production levels varied by 2.2 times between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports apple from Belarus

Exports in kind, K t

Apple exports from Belarus declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 36.4 thousand tons, which represents a sharp 32.2% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 81.8 thousand tons, showing a 39.5% increase from the previous year. However, exports fell by 34.3% in 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 37.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated Belarus's apple export structure, consistently accounting for 99.7% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Apple exports from Belarus declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 13.0 million US dollars, which is 10.9% less than the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 23.0 million US dollars, representing a 41.0% increase from 2017. Exports then dropped by 36.8% in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values decreased by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with Russia alone responsible for 99.7% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belarus in value, 2017-2020

Imports apple to Belarus

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. In 2017, apple imports to Belarus reached their highest level, while 2020 saw the lowest point, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus imported a total of {value_last_year} thousand tons of apples, down by 45.1% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 59.8%, followed by a 22.3% increase in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, apple imports to Belarus were largely concentrated on Poland, which accounted for 87.0% of total import volumes, while other countries together formed the remaining {rest_share}%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.7-fold variation between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of apples to Belarus amounted to 72.1 million US dollars, reflecting a significant 39.9% decline year-over-year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 59.4%, while imports increased by 10.4% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Poland remained the key source for apple imports to Belarus, accounting for 87.1% of total import value, with other destinations playing a much smaller role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belarus in value, 2017-2020