Apples, pears and quinces market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the domestic market volume for apples, pears, and quinces in Iran declined from 1.7 million tons to 1.6 million tons. Persistent pest infestations and fruit drop issues in apple and pear orchards constrained harvestable yields during these years. This was followed by a shift in export policies and a growing focus on processed fruit products like concentrates and dried fruit in 2020, which encouraged higher fresh fruit exports and reduced the volume available for the local fresh market.

The market rebounded sharply to nearly 2.0 million tons in 2021, driven primarily by the introduction of new hybrid fruits such as apple-pear crosses, which created a fresh consumer segment and stimulated overall production. Regulatory changes for exports also played a role that year. However, unfavorable weather conditions impacting fruit set and quality, alongside evolving consumer preferences for specific fruit varieties, contributed to a significant contraction to 1.4 million tons in 2022. The market partially recovered to 1.7 million tons in 2023 as production increased and export volumes eased.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Iran was among the world's leading producers of apples, pears, and quinces from 2017 to 2020, ranking 7th globally by production volume.

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

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

Iran's production of apples, pears, and quinces increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 439 K t of these fruits, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production decreased by 5.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 122 K t, marking the largest decline of 17.8% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 14.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of apples, pears, and quinces production in Iran declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 901 M $ US, reflecting a significant drop of 24.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 196 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 4.7%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Iran

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for apples, pears, and quinces from Iran showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 425.8 K t and peaked in 2020 at 886.6 K t, representing a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments totaled 886.6 K t, an increase of 18.5% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 29.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 75.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of apples, pears, and quinces from Iran in terms of volume were Iraq (40.2% of exports), Afghanistan (22.4% of exports), and Russia (12.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 74.9% of Iran's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Iran's export value for apples, pears, and quinces was 327.7 M $ US, down by 10.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 27.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 230.1 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 366.9 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 59.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest contributors to Iran's export value for apples, pears, and quinces were Iraq (36.4% of exports), Afghanistan (23.1% of exports), and Russia (14.4% of exports). Collectively, these three markets represented 73.9% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Iran

Imports in kind, K t

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

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

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