Apples, pears and quinces market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh apples, pears and quinces in Eastern Europe began the period at 11.3 million tons in 2018, but fell sharply to 9.1 million tons in 2019. Currency devaluation in Ukraine made fruit more expensive, while Russia's import substitution policy reduced apple imports, altering trade flows. Recovery started in 2020 as Russia intensified orchard planting in Crimea and Krasnodar, boosting domestic output, even as Ukraine faced mounting logistical disruptions from military actions that constrained exports.

Market volume expanded to 10.4 million tons by 2021, driven by rising Russian production and exports. However, the focus on domestic consumption in Russia and severe electricity shortages in Ukraine that hampered storage reversed the trend from 2022. By 2023, the regional market contracted to 9.4 million tons, largely due to Ukraine's apple harvest hitting an eight-year low because of war damage and adverse weather.

In 2024, Russian production continued to grow with new investments in intensive orchards, while Ukrainian output remained under pressure from unfavorable climate. Ukraine also secured new export opportunities, such as market access to Canada, which could help mitigate domestic supply challenges.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), apple, pear, and quince production reached 9 284 thousand metric tons in 2020, marking a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 10 759 thousand metric tons, with that year seeing the largest increase of 48.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline, with production dropping by 18.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of apple, pear, and quince production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was 6 320 million US dollars in 2020, representing a substantial 31.4% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 36.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 7 224 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 55.7%. The most notable decrease was in 2019, with a 33.4% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, exports of apples, pears, and quinces from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, export volume stood at 780 thousand metric tons, a decrease of 19.2% from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 965 thousand metric tons, which also saw the largest increase of 16.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for apples, pears, and quinces in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 7.2% of exports in kind, Egypt for 5.2%, and Kazakhstan for 4.8%, with these three countries together making up only 17.3% of total flows. The remaining 82.7% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of apples, pears, and quinces from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 531 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 559 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 4.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated the export value of apples, pears, and quinces from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Germany represented 6.4% of exports in value terms, Egypt 6.0%, and Kazakhstan 4.7%, with these three countries collectively accounting for only 17.1% of total export value. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of apples, pears, and quinces into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume was [value_last_year] thousand metric tons, reflecting a notable reduction of 19.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 29.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across many countries. Serbia accounted for 9.2% of imports in kind, Argentina for 5.4%, and Turkey for 4.9%, with these three countries together making up only 19.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, imports of apples, pears, and quinces into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased. In 2020, import value totaled 1 182 million US dollars, showing a solid uptick of 15.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.9%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 025 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The partner structure for imports in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Serbia represented 10.8% of imports in value terms, Argentina 7.9%, and Turkey 5.8%, with these three countries together accounting for only 24.6% of total flows, and no single country holding a dominant share.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020