Apple market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh apple market in Western Europe experienced notable shifts from 2018 to 2023. A record apple harvest in Germany during 2018 supported a high market volume of 4.4 million tons. The market then contracted to 3.8 million tons in 2019, before recovering slightly to 4.0 million tons in 2020.

Market dynamics from 2021 onward were heavily influenced by price fluctuations and weather events. In 2021, sharp price declines for key varieties like Gala and Golden reduced imports from the Southern Hemisphere, pulling the market size down to 3.9 million tons. The following year, another record harvest in Germany, combined with spring frosts and harvest losses in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, helped lift the market back to 4.0 million tons. In 2023, spring frosts and variable weather cut the German apple crop by 12.1%, causing supply shortages for main varieties. This pushed prices higher, raising the market value to $4.8 billion despite a slight dip in physical volume to 3.9 million tons.

Production apple in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Apple production in Western Europe has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 652 thousand tons of apples, representing a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 24.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 10.4%. In contrast, 2018 saw the biggest increase, with production jumping by 40.4% to reach a peak of 4 126 thousand tons.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2017, apple output in Western Europe reached its lowest value, while it peaked in 2018, marking a 1.8-fold difference between these years. By 2020, the value of apple production had risen to 4 246 million US dollars, which is 7.1% higher than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 091 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 22.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, when the value surged by 76.5%.

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

Exports apple from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, apple exports from Western Europe have rebounded. In 2020, the region exported 856 thousand tons of apples, indicating an 11.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 18.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 770 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, apple exports from Western Europe were distributed across numerous countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 13.7% of exports in kind, Spain for 10.0%, and Ireland for 2.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 26.4% of total export flows, highlighting the diversity of destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apple exports from Western Europe amounted to 995 million US dollars, reflecting a significant year-over-year increase of 20.5%. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 3.3% over the 2017-2020 period, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 826 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 1 091 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a drop of 24.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner landscape for apple exports in value terms was quite broad. The United Kingdom contributed 15.9% of exports in value, Spain 9.3%, and Ireland 3.0%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 28.2% of total flows, with the remaining 71.8% going to a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports apple to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, apple imports into Western Europe have risen. In 2020, the region imported 1 240 thousand tons of apples, which is 36.6% more than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, imports decreased by 4.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 908 thousand tons. The largest decline also occurred in 2019, with a drop of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for apple imports in kind to Western Europe was quite diverse. Italy accounted for 26.7% of imports in kind, Poland for 11.4%, and Chile for 6.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 45.0% of total import flows, indicating a broad sourcing base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apple imports into Western Europe totaled 1 179 million US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 25.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, imports decreased by 6.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 940 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 1 421 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a drop of 33.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy, Chile, and New Zealand formed the core group of markets for apple imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 29.3% of imports in value, Chile for 11.6%, and New Zealand for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 52.3% of total import flows.

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

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