Apple market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The apple market in Southern Europe began the period at 3.85 million tons in 2018 before contracting to 3.24 million tons the following year. A recovery to 3.38 million tons in 2020 coincided with a reported low supply of peaches and nectarines across Italy and Europe, which likely shifted some consumer demand toward apples.

Market volume then stabilized around 3.4-3.46 million tons from 2021 to 2023. In 2022, a general negative price trend for apples contributed to a significant drop in market value to $3.16 billion, even as physical volume held steady. The market's value rebounded strongly to over $4 billion in 2023, driven largely by Italian exports of high-value commercial club varieties, which commanded higher prices.

Industry factors in 2024 pointed toward a growing consumer preference for packaged and organic apples in Italy, with innovative packaging and transparent communication becoming key market strategies. European apple production for processing was also reported lower, potentially increasing prices for fresh fruit.

Production apple in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, apple production reached 4 518 K t in 2020, remaining stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 586 K t, marking a significant increase of 20.6% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of apple production in Southern Europe was 4 076 M $ US in 2020, showing a strong increase of 16.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 25.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 7.8%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 4 646 M $ US, which represented a substantial increase of 43.0%. However, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 24.4%.

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

Exports apple from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 1 492 K t of apples, a decrease of 2.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 2.6%, averaging an annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 118 K t, which saw the largest decline of 27.0%. In contrast, 2019 had the largest increase of 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, apple exports from Southern Europe were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 18.3% of exports in kind, Russia for 11.2%, and Egypt for 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 37.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's apple export value increased for the second consecutive year, reaching 1 346 M $ US in 2020, up by 13.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 2.8%, with an annualized rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 133 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 13.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, apple exports from Southern Europe in value terms relied on a wide array of partner countries. Germany held 23.1% of export value, Russia 9.4%, and Egypt 6.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for only 38.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports apple to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, apple imports into Southern Europe increased in 2020, totaling 351 K t, which reflects a 36.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 257 K t, marking the largest decline of 32.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for apple imports into Southern Europe. France accounted for 20.9% of imports in kind, Poland for 14.0%, and Austria for 4.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.6% of total imports, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, apple imports into Southern Europe amounted to 329 M $ US, an increase of 19.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 9.2%, averaging an annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 275 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 26.5%. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 374 M $ US.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, apple imports in value terms to Southern Europe were not concentrated on a few key markets. France accounted for 24.2% of import value, Poland for 9.1%, and Chile for 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 39.6% of total import flows.

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

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