Apple market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the fresh apple market in Eastern Europe reached 10 412 thousand tonnes, supported by investments in orchard modernization and new technologies aimed at boosting productivity and fruit quality. The following year, market volume contracted to 8 304 thousand tonnes as new phytosanitary standards and traceability requirements introduced additional compliance costs and temporarily disrupted trade flows. The market rebounded in 2020 to 8 759 thousand tonnes, largely due to shifting consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased demand for local and healthy food products.

Growth continued in 2021, with the market expanding to 9 613 thousand tonnes driven by investments in expanded apple processing capacities and government subsidies supporting local producers, including incentives for organic farming. In 2022, economic and geopolitical pressures in the region raised production and distribution costs, leading the market to stabilize at 9 437 thousand tonnes. By 2023, market volume declined further to 8 769 thousand tonnes, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.

Production apple in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), apple production reached 8 842 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a moderate increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 9.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 10 246 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 50.2% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of apple production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was $5 810 million in 2020, representing a substantial increase of 31.7% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 36.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 11.0%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at $6 697 million, which also saw the largest annual increase of 57.8%. Conversely, 2019 experienced the most notable decline, with a drop of 34.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apple from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, apple exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in 2020. Export volumes fell to 734 thousand tonnes, down 20.2% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 920 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 15.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for apples in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was highly diversified. The top three destinations—Germany (7.9% of exports), Egypt (5.8%), and Kazakhstan (5.1%)—collectively accounted for only 18.8% of total exports. The remaining 81.2% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Apple export revenues from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching $482.3 million, a slight decrease of 1.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The peak value was $520.8 million in 2018, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.7%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the most significant decline, with a drop of 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The export market in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Germany (6.9% of export value), Egypt (6.5%), and Kazakhstan (4.8%) together represented just 18.2% of total exports, with no single country dominating the market.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports apple to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Apple imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with volumes falling by 29.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 39.8%, averaging an annual decline of 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, apple imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not concentrated among a few key suppliers. Serbia (12.1% of imports), Azerbaijan (5.8%), and China (4.8%) together accounted for only 22.7% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, apple import values into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded in 2020, reaching $778.7 million, a strong increase of 19.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 9.3%, averaging an annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $652.9 million, which also saw the largest annual decline of 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, apple import values in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across many countries. Serbia (15.7% of import value), China (5.3%), and Azerbaijan (4.1%) collectively represented only 25.1% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020