Apples, pears and quinces market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, production of fresh apples, pears and quinces in Central Asia increased steadily from 1 997 thousand tonnes to 2 317 thousand tonnes. Market volume, after a slight dip in 2019, expanded overall from 2 105 thousand tonnes to 2 422 thousand tonnes by 2023. This growth was underpinned by the sustained activity of large fruit producers in Kazakhstan, such as TOO 'ZHARKENT FRUIT' and TOO 'DALA-FRUIT.KZ', which maintained strong output and export capacity throughout the period.

External factors further shaped the market's trajectory. Severe spring frosts in Russia during 2020 reduced apple harvests in key growing regions, which likely increased demand for fruit supplies from Central Asia. Subsequently, geopolitical shifts and redirected trade flows in 2022 curtailed Russia's imports of apples from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Uzbekistan, creating additional export opportunities for producers in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries.

By 2023–2024, the sector saw enhanced export infrastructure and logistics support in Kazakhstan, facilitating higher shipments of apples and other fruits. Concurrently, a notable rise in apple imports into Kyrgyzstan—partly driven by re‑exports of Chinese apples—highlighted the region's evolving role as a transit hub for intra‑Central Asian fruit trade.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Central Asia

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

Central Asia's production of apples, pears, and quinces has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 086 thousand tons of these fruits, marking a 4.3% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In contrast, the value of apples, pears, and quinces production in Central Asia has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 187 million US dollars, a 7.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 706 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 24.6% drop. The biggest increase was seen in 2018, with a 14.5% rise.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia's exports of apples, pears, and quinces totaled 33.2 thousand tons, showing a sharp decline of 43.3% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 58.5 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year at 296.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the clear leader in the country structure of exports in kind, accounting for 33.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility over these years. Exports varied by 3.7-fold, reaching their low in 2017 and their high in 2019. In 2020, Central Asia's export value for apples, pears, and quinces totaled 18 858 thousand US dollars, a decline of 49.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 37 593 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 198.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Russia remained the primary buyer of apples, pears, and quinces from Central Asia, holding a 26.2% share of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign supplies of apples, pears, and quinces to Central Asia amounted to 125.6 thousand tons, indicating a moderate decline of 3.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 123.0 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 16.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 6.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, China, and Iran were the main sources of apples, pears, and quinces imports to Central Asia in kind. Poland accounted for 46.9% of imports, China for 14.0%, and Iran for 8.4%, together making up 69.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of apples, pears, and quinces to Central Asia reached 66 711 thousand US dollars, reflecting a year-on-year loss of 20.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 62 120 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 84 209 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 35.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, China, and Iran continued to lead as suppliers of apples, pears, and quinces to Central Asia in value terms. Poland held a 46.0% share, China 14.3%, and Iran 7.9%, jointly accounting for 68.2% of total imports.

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

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