Apples, pears and quinces market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh apples, pears, and quinces in Belarus opened the period at 915 thousand tons in 2018, driven by expanded orchard plantings and the introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant Belarusian varieties that boosted domestic production. A sharp drop in output the following year pulled the market volume down to 632 thousand tons, even as imports from Ukraine increased and consumer interest in organic apples created a new market segment.

Controlled-atmosphere storage technology improved post-harvest preservation in 2020, helping production rebound and lift the market to 765 thousand tons, while growing demand for natural products stimulated processing. From 2021, import restrictions—including a temporary embargo on Western supplies—and a state-led import-substitution policy progressively reduced import volumes, causing the market to contract to 416 thousand tons by 2023 despite stable domestic output.

By 2024, imports had fallen further to 93 thousand tons, under ongoing import-substitution measures and the introduction of maximum retail prices for state-ordered produce, reinforcing the shift toward domestic supply and continuing the market's contraction.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus produced 590.7 K t of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a dramatic 60.1% increase compared to 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 755.4 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 51.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 116.3% rise.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Belarus

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of apples, pears, and quinces from Belarus declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 66.4 K t, showing a sudden 32.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 55.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 23.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 157.9 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 38.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 5.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all exports in kind of apples, pears, and quinces from Belarus were directed to Russia, which accounted for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belarus's export value of apples, pears, and quinces declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 20.8 M $ US, representing a 10.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 32.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.3%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 37.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 38.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 22.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia concentrated almost all exports in value terms of apples, pears, and quinces from Belarus, with a share of 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Belarus

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belarus imported 240.2 K t of apples, pears, and quinces, showing an intense 33.5% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 61.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -27.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 49.5% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 13.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (69.8% of imports in kind), Turkey (8.2% of imports in kind), and Lebanon (4.6% of imports in kind) accounted for the largest share of imports in kind, together comprising 82.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belarus's imports of apples, pears, and quinces amounted to 152.4 M $ US, corresponding to an abrupt 28.0% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 61.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 27.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 47.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 2.2% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Poland (65.9% of imports in value terms), Turkey (8.4% of imports in value terms), and Lebanon (5.1% of imports in value terms) remained the key partners in imports in value terms, together accounting for 79.4% of total flows.

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

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