Apples, pears and quinces market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh apples, pears, and quinces in Ireland exhibited significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. Opening at 129.2 thousand tons in 2018, market volume contracted sharply to 91.0 thousand tons in 2019. It then stabilized around 90.7 thousand tons in 2020 before falling further to 73.9 thousand tons in 2021. A strong rebound followed in 2022, lifting the market to 93.7 thousand tons, which then moderated to 81.7 thousand tons in 2023.

Key movements were influenced by specific market factors. The stabilization in 2020 aligned with the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to global fresh fruit supply chains and distribution channels. The subsequent recovery in 2022 was primarily driven by a rising consumer preference for nutritious and healthy food, which boosted demand for apples and pears, coupled with the broader adoption of sustainable farming practices by producers.

Underlying trends throughout the period included a sustained consumer shift toward organic and sustainably grown fruit, the launch of new pear varieties with improved disease resistance, and evolving regulatory changes concerning labeling and food safety standards, all of which shaped production and market access dynamics.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Ireland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Ireland's production of apples, pears, and quinces has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 19,470 tonnes, which represents a 2.1% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Ireland's apples, pears, and quinces production was $28,706,000, down 6.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 12%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, at 11.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Ireland

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Ireland exported 6,000 tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a 32.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 31.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019, at 4,600 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the dominant destination for Ireland's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in volume terms, accounting for 93.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Ireland's exports of apples, pears, and quinces reached $8,900,000, showing a sharp increase of 27.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 26.9%, with an average annual growth of 8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, at $7,000,000, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Kingdom was the key partner for Ireland's exports in value terms, representing 92.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Ireland

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Ireland imported approximately 77,300 tonnes of apples, pears, and quinces, a 2.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The highest import volume was in 2018, at 114,500 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 53.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 33.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (30.5% of import volume), France (16.8%), and Germany (13.1%) were the leading sources for Ireland's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in volume terms, together accounting for 60.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Ireland's imports of apples, pears, and quinces were valued at $84,100,000, a moderate rise of 3.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 7.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.6%. The lowest value was in 2019, at $81,400,000, which also saw the largest decline of 20.5%. The highest value was in 2018, at $102,400,000, which recorded the largest increase of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (21.4% of import value), Germany (19.7%), and the United Kingdom (12.3%) were the main markets for Ireland's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, together representing 53.4% of total flows.

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

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