Apple market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh apple market in Northern Europe showed relative stability in the early part of the period, with market volume hovering around 1.4 million tons between 2018 and 2020. Domestic production reached its highest point in 2020 at over 800 thousand tons, contributing to a peak market volume of nearly 1.45 million tons that year.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2021, as domestic production fell by roughly one-third to 544 thousand tons. This significant drop in output drove the overall market volume down to 1.18 million tons, despite import volumes remaining above 660 thousand tons. The market partially recovered in 2022 but fell again in 2023 to 1.13 million tons, indicating ongoing volatility in supply.

In value terms, the market followed a similar trajectory, peaking at 1.59 billion US dollars in 2020 before declining to 1.26 billion by 2023. The more gradual decline in market value compared to volume suggests shifts in pricing or product mix during the latter years.

Production apple in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

In 2019, apple production in Northern Europe experienced a slight decline of 0.6%. However, by 2020, output rebounded significantly, reaching 806.7 thousand tonnes—an 8.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

Exports apple from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, apple exports from Northern Europe began to recover in 2020. Shipments totaled 47.7 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 4.2% increase from 2019, when exports hit their lowest point at 45.8 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 39.5% decrease. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 51.4%, averaging an annual decline of 21.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, apple exports from Northern Europe were distributed across a wide range of destinations, showing low concentration. The top three markets—Belarus (12.4% of exports), Kazakhstan (9.1%), and the Netherlands (7.5%)—collectively accounted for just 29.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apple exports from Northern Europe rose to 46.7 million US dollars, a strong 12.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 41.5 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 56.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 26.0% taking place in 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, export value decreased by 11.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading buyers of Northern European apples by value were France (9.4% of exports), the Netherlands (5.0%), and Belarus (4.4%). Together, these three countries represented only 18.7% of total export value, indicating a highly diversified market structure with no single dominant destination.

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

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

Imports apple to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Apple imports into Northern Europe continued to decline for the third year in a row in 2020, dropping by 2.6% year-on-year to 685.9 thousand tonnes. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 25%, which corresponds to an average annual decrease of 9.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import structure for apples in Northern Europe was balanced, with no heavy reliance on a few key suppliers. The top three sources—France (17.6% of imports), Italy (15.4%), and Germany (11.6%)—combined for 44.6% of total import volumes, while the remaining 55.4% came from a variety of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apple imports into Northern Europe increased by 10.7% year-on-year, reaching 851.7 million US dollars. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 769.7 million US dollars, and the highest in 2018 at 932.4 million US dollars, with the most significant decline of 17.5% occurring in 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 2.5%, averaging an annual decline of 0.8%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the primary sources for apple imports by value into Northern Europe were France (20.2% of imports), Italy (18.9%), and South Africa (11.1%). These three countries together accounted for 50.2% of total import value, reflecting a moderately concentrated but still diverse supplier base.

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

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