Apple market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the fresh apple market volume in Russia remained relatively stable, fluctuating around 2 650 тыс. т. The introduction of the interstate standard GOST 34314-2017 in July 2018 established new quality and labeling requirements for apples in retail trade, shaping market standards. Ongoing import substitution, initiated by the 2014 counter-sanctions, led to a reduction in imports and stimulated the growth of domestic production through the planting of intensive orchards and modernization of storage and processing infrastructure.

Market volume recovered post-pandemic to 2 815 тыс. т in 2021, supported by increased production and the entry of new players, alongside the development of the organic apple segment. Tighter phytosanitary control and certification requirements affected market operations. By 2022, the market grew to 2 898 тыс. т, driven by a further decline in imports due to sanctions and logistical constraints, as well as increased production of apple juice and concentrates as a processed segment.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 2 420 тыс. т against a backdrop of falling production to 2 086 тыс. т and a continued contraction in imports. Investments in storage and processing infrastructure continued, but the market adjusted following the earlier growth period.

Production apple in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was one of the world's top apple producers, ranking 8th globally by production volume.

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Russia's apple production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 041 thousand tons of apples, marking a modest increase of 4.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 36.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 11.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apple output in Russia reached 641.1 million US dollars, up 10.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 13.5%, with an average annual rate of 4.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 652.6 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 11.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apple from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Russia exported 13.7 thousand tons of apples, a decrease of 19.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 23.6%, averaging an annual decline of 8.6%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 11.7 thousand tons. The largest drop was in 2018, down 34.6%, and the biggest increase was in 2019, up 45.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was the primary destination for Russia's apple exports in volume terms, accounting for 93.9% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Russia's apple exports in value terms amounted to 4.3 million US dollars, showing a significant decline of 14.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 36.5%, with an average annual drop of 14.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 4.1 million US dollars. The largest decrease was in 2018, down 39.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, up 22.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine accounted for 87.6% of Russia's apple exports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among various smaller partners.

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

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

Imports apple to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Russia's apple imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 641.2 thousand tons, down 8.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 843.5 thousand tons. The largest drop was in 2019, falling by 16.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 18.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Russia's apple imports in volume terms were Moldova (32.2% of imports), Serbia (20.2%), and Azerbaijan (10.5%), together making up 62.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Russia's apple imports in value terms reached 476.8 million US dollars, an increase of 20.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 16.6%, with an average annual rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 394.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 517.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, down 23.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, up 26.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources for Russia's apple imports in value terms were Serbia (26.2% of imports), Moldova (24.0%), and China (9.1%), collectively accounting for 59.4% of total flows.

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

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