Apples, pears and quinces market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh apples, pears and quinces in Czechia fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, moving from 178 300 t down to 145 700 t in 2019 before recovering to 173 800 t in 2020. After a drop to 148 800 t in 2021, a modest increase to 157 500 t occurred in 2022, with the market settling at 148 800 t again in 2023.

Regulatory focus on pesticide residues in apples and pears, through a multi-year project promoting low-residue production methods, influenced growers' practices during this period. In 2022, producers faced acute economic pressures from rising energy and labor costs, which threatened orchard operations and storage capacity. Consumer campaigns favoring regional products provided some counterbalance, coinciding with a slight market increase that year.

By 2024, market adaptation was visible as retail price pressure reduced the variety of apple cultivars grown. Many growers turned to direct sales and pick-your-own schemes to sustain their businesses and meet demand for local fruit.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Czechia

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

In 2020, Czechia produced 123.0 K t of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a significant 16.4% increase from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 105.6 K t, with the largest decline that year at 33.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 158.7 K t, which saw the largest increase of 45.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 4.0%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Czechia exported 43.3 K t of apples, pears, and quinces, showing a modest 6.8% rise compared to 2019. Exports peaked in 2018 at 56.8 K t, with the largest increase that year at 40.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 28.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Slovakia were the core markets for Czechia's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind. Germany accounted for 41.4% of exports, Austria for 31.7%, and Slovakia for 19.3%. Together, these three countries represented 92.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Czechia's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms rebounded in 2020, reaching 15 035 K $ US, a 24.2% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 109 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 19.8%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 17.1%, averaging an annualized decline of 6.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia, Germany, and Austria were the top buyers of apples, pears, and quinces from Czechia in value terms. Slovakia led with 44.9% of exports, followed by Germany at 28.4%, and Austria at 14.7%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 88.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

Czechia's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 94.2 K t, a significant 16.8% gain from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 76.4 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 29.8%. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.4%, with an annualized rate of decline of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Italy, and the Netherlands were the leading sources for Czechia's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind. Poland contributed 35.5% of imports, Italy 18.2%, and the Netherlands 10.8%. Together, these three countries made up 64.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Czechia's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms rose in 2020 to 77 499 K $ US, a substantial 66.0% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 46 681 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 24.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.1%, averaging an annualized rate of 5.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Poland, Italy, and Germany were the main destinations for Czechia's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms. Poland accounted for 27.9% of imports, Italy for 19.9%, and Germany for 13.9%. Combined, these three countries absorbed 61.8% of total import value.

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

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