Apples, pears and quinces market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for fresh apples, pears, and quinces declined from over 23 million tonnes in 2018 to around 20 million tonnes in 2023, with significant contractions in 2019 and 2022. The temporary recovery in 2020 was supported by the expansion of organic apple cultivation across Europe, which boosted production and met growing consumer demand for bio-products.

A heatwave in late 2022 accelerated fruit ripening and increased the share of apples destined for processing, while pest infestations and adverse weather reduced harvests in key growing regions like Germany. These factors, compounded by the broader impact of climate change on orchard resilience, led to a notable drop in market volume that year.

Advances in controlled atmosphere storage extended the shelf life of apples, helping to stabilize supply throughout the year. Meanwhile, quinces experienced a revival for use in jellies and juices, though this niche segment did not significantly alter overall market dynamics.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Europe

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, Europe produced 20,707 thousand tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a moderate increase of 4.4% compared to the previous year. Production grew by 20.7% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annualized rate of 6.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22,842 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 33.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 13.2%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe exported 3,281 thousand tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, representing a decrease of 15.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 19.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3,191 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 22.0%. However, exports rebounded in 2019 with the largest increase of 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's exports of apples, pears, and quinces were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Egypt accounted for 3.9% of exports in kind, Kazakhstan for 1.6%, and Saudi Arabia for 1.6%, with these three countries together making up only 7.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Europe's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms increased in 2020. The export volume totaled 4,063 million US dollars, showing a solid rise of 13.3% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3,587 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil were the largest buyers of apples, pears, and quinces from Europe in value terms, but they did not dominate the market. Egypt accounted for 2.9% of exports in value, Saudi Arabia for 2.2%, and Brazil for 1.8%, with these three countries together representing 6.9% of total exports, while a wide range of smaller partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decrease, Europe's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind rose in 2020. The import volume reached 3,467 thousand tonnes, indicating an 11.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3,098 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind remained fragmented. Chile accounted for 4.7% of imports in kind, South Africa for 4.6%, and Argentina for 3.2%, with these three countries together comprising only 12.5% of total import flows, and no single country held a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe imported apples, pears, and quinces worth 4,620 million US dollars, reflecting a notable gain of 18.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.1%, with a CAGR of -1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3,916 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 21.5%. In contrast, the highest value was in 2018 at 4,986 million US dollars.

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

During 2017-2020, the partner landscape for imports in value terms was broad. Chile accounted for 7.7% of imports in value, South Africa for 6.5%, and New Zealand for 5.0%, with these three countries together forming only 19.2% of total import flows. The remaining 80.8% was distributed among many other countries, highlighting a diverse supply base.

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

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